Shloka 90
अतिकायवधः
The Slaying of Atikāya
तावन्योन्यंविनिर्दह्यपेततुर्धरणीतले ।।6.71.89।।निरर्चिषौभस्मकृतौ न भ्राजेतेशरोत्तमौ ।तावुभौदीप्यमानौस्म न भ्राजेतेमहीतले ।।6.71.90।।
tāv anyonyaṃ vinirdahya petatur dharaṇītale | nirarciṣau bhasmakṛtau na bhrājete śarottamau ||
tāv ubhau dīpyamānau sma na bhrājete mahītale ||
ایک دوسرے کو جلا کر وہ دونوں تیر زمین پر آ گرے؛ شعلے بجھ گئے، راکھ بن گئے، اور وہ بہترین تیر پھر نہ چمکے۔ جو پہلے دہکتے تھے، وہ مٹی پر آ کر بےنور ہو گئے۔
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
It conveys the Ramayana’s moral realism: even the most dazzling force is transient; dharma values right action and restraint over fascination with destructive power.
The two opposing divine arrows neutralize each other midair and fall to the ground extinguished and ashen.
The verse emphasizes a reflective lesson rather than a single virtue: viveka (discernment) about the limits of power and the futility of mere escalation.