Shloka 91
अतिकायवधः
The Slaying of Atikāya
ततोऽतिकायस्सङ्कृद्धस्त्वस्त्रमैषीकमुत्सृजत् ।तत्प्रचिच्छेदसौमित्रिरस्त्रमैन्द्रेणवीर्यवान् ।।।।
tato ’tikāyaḥ saṅkruddhas tv astram aiṣīkam utsṛjat | tat praciccheda saumitrir astram aindreṇa vīryavān ||
Então Atikāya, abrasado de ira, disparou o míssil Aiṣīka, energizado por Tvaṣṭṛ; mas o valente Saumitrī (Lakṣmaṇa) o decepou com uma arma carregada por Indra.
Those two burning one another and themselves burning had fallen on the earth surface with no fire. Those two best of arrows though glowing, having fallen on earth did not shine as they ceased to emit flames and had been reduced to ashes.
FAQs
The contrast suggests dharma’s preference for disciplined strength over anger: Atikāya acts from rage, while Lakṣmaṇa responds with controlled, skillful countermeasure.
Atikāya launches the Aiṣīka missile; Lakṣmaṇa neutralizes it by cutting it with an Indra-associated weapon.
Saṃyama (self-control) and competence: Lakṣmaṇa’s composed effectiveness in the face of escalating divine weaponry.