Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 89, Shloka 17
इन्द्रजित्–लक्ष्मणयोर् घोरः शरयुद्धः
Indrajit and Lakshmana’s Fierce Exchange of Arrows
नैवंरणगताःशूराःप्रहरन्तिनिशाचर ।लघवश्चाल्पवीर्याश्चशरासुखास्तवहीमे ।।6.89.17।।
naivaṃ raṇagatāḥ śūrāḥ praharanti niśācara |
laghavaś cālpavīryāś ca śarāḥ sukhās tava hīme ||6.89.17||
ಓ ನಿಶಾಚರಾ! ರಣದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ನಿಜ ಶೂರರು ಹೀಗೆ ಪ್ರಹಾರ ಮಾಡುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ನಿನ್ನ ಈ ಬಾಣಗಳು ಹಗುರವೂ ಅಲ್ಪಬಲವೂ ಆಗಿವೆ; ನಿಜಕ್ಕೂ ಅವು ನನಗೆ ಸುಖಕರವೆನಿಸುತ್ತವೆ.
"O Night ranger! Heroes coming for war do not strike this way. These arrows are weak, so not painful but conducive."
FAQs
It invokes yuddha-nīti: a warrior should fight openly and effectively, not with cowardly or improper methods. Dharma in war includes courage and straightforward engagement.
Lakṣmaṇa mocks Indrajit’s attack, calling it unworthy of a true hero and belittling the arrows’ impact.
Lakṣmaṇa’s fearlessness and morale-building confidence, sustaining righteous resistance under pressure.