Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 89, Shloka 22

इन्द्रजित्–लक्ष्मणयोर् घोरः शरयुद्धः

Indrajit and Lakshmana’s Fierce Exchange of Arrows

Devanagari script

व्यशीर्यतमहद्धिव्यंकवचंलक्ष्मणस्य च ।कृतप्रतिकृतान्योन्यंबभूवतुरभिद्रुतौ ।।6.89.22।।

Transliteration

vyaśīryata mahad divyaṃ kavacaṃ lakṣmaṇasya ca | kṛtapratikṛtānyonyaṃ babhūvatu rabhidrutau ||6.89.22||

Translation

Nabiyak din ang dakila at maningning na baluti ni Lakṣmaṇa; at silang dalawa, na nagsasalpukan sa isa’t isa, ay nagpalitan ng hampas—bawat pagsalakay ay agad na sinasagot ng ganti.

Word by Word

• vyaśīryata: was shattered
• vyaśīryata: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śṝ (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect), आत्मनेपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; उपसर्गः वि-

• mahat: great
• mahat: Visheshana (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (agreeing with kavacam; Neuter, Nominative, Singular)

• divyam: divine
• divyam: Visheshana (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: divya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Neuter, Nominative, Singular)

• kavacam: armor
• kavacam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kavaca (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Neuter, Nominative, Singular)

• lakṣmaṇasya: of Lakshmana
• lakṣmaṇasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lakṣmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Genitive, Singular)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• kṛtapratikṛtānyonyam: mutually with attack and retaliation
• kṛtapratikṛtānyonyam: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + pratikṛta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + anyonya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समाहार/अव्ययीभाव-प्राय प्रयोगः; वस्तुतः बहुपद-समासः (कृतं च प्रतिक्रुतं च अन्योन्यम्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (adverbial accusative: mutually with attack and counterattack)

• babhūvatuḥ: became/ensued (for the two)
• babhūvatuḥ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, द्विवचन (3rd person dual)

• abhidrutau: the two rushing at each other
• abhidrutau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: abhi- (उपसर्ग) + druta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन (Masculine, Nominative, Dual)

Context

Lakshmana's mighty and wonderful shield also got shattered. Both took offense as well as retaliated each other moving swiftly.

Characters & Entities

• Lakshmana
• Indrajit

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma in battle includes accountability and proportionate response: actions invite consequences, and the narrative shows a regulated reciprocity—attack met by counterattack—rather than random cruelty.

What is the narrative situation?

After Lakṣmaṇa is heavily struck, his armour breaks as the duel becomes close, swift, and evenly matched in exchanges.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Alertness and tactical responsiveness (pratyutpanna-mati): each answers the other instantly without hesitation.