Play fair & Square

Sampāti struck by Prajangha with 3 arrows, killed him by an Ashvakarna tree. Jambumali banged on Hanumān’s breast with a javelin but was overthrown by him with a palm of hand. Pratapana roared & ran towards Nala, only to have his eyes scratched out by him. Sugriva killed Praghasa with a Saptaparna tree & Laxman executed Virupaksha with a terrific arrow. Invincible Agniketu, Rashmiketu, Mitrughna & Yajnakopa’s hands were cut off by Rām

Nikumbha wounded Nila, who in turn chopped off his head. Dvivida struck Ashaniprabha, while Sushena struck the chariot of Vidyumali with a huge rock & killed him with a thump. Strong demons were thus destroyed in a series of hand-to-hand encounters. The battlefield became frightening with spears, arrows, maces, javelins, lances, shattered chariots, Vānaras & demons who were killed, broken wheels, axles & yokes lying on ground & frequented by herds of jackals

As they fought, the Sun sank below horizon, setting in motion a night of carnage. The nocturnal war started in dreadful darkness. Black demons wearing golden dress, agitated with anger, attacked with great speed destroying Vānaras who in turn with rage leapt forward & tore them asunder with their sharp teeth. The dust rising from hooves of horses & wheels of chariot, blocked eyes & ears of the combatants

Rām & Laxman killed foremost of demons in droves with their golden fire shafts like moths which disappear in fire. Angad struck Indrajit, his charioteer & horses all at once who then became invisible in the battlefield, like a coward. All were pleased with Angad’s efforts as they knew supernatural powers of Indrajit

Indrajit, who had gone out of sight, rendered himself invisible again & hurled sharp serpent-like arrows into all limbs of Rām & Laxman. Enveloped by illusion, he sought to confuse brothers thro’ his magic arts & bounded them with network of arrows. The brothers were wounded quickly & made captive. Rām ordered 10 Vānara generals to search for the whereabouts of Indrajit, who flung into air to explore the 10 regions, but Indrajit, skilled in use of magic weapons arrested them all. They could still not see him

Indrajit transfixed Rām & Laxman with arrows that lacerated their flesh in great measure & blood flowed from their wound marks. He then spoke with inflamed eyes-When I enter combat, making myself invisible, even Indra is not able to see me. How you mere humans can even touch me?

Using illusion & deception is not a sign of brave but of a coward. Indrajit having been defeated by Angad was a pathetic warrior, who then used trickery as a last resort to save his face. In the end he will face consequences

Huge lessons for us on our integrity to be a good fighter based on skills. Even if you would lose, you have satisfaction to have fought fairly. It is not true that end justifies the means. Success doesn’t count unless it is achieved with honesty, integrity, playing fair & square at every stage in life

Thoughts? #gameoflife