Discernment

Hearing words of Rām, Laxman rejoiced, prepared for combat wielding sword arrows & wearing his bow in left hand. He offered salutations to Rām & said-Today, arrows released from my bow will pierce Indrajit & then drop into Lankā

Quickly marching forward, Laxman reached Nikumbhila, which was protected by Indrajit. Hanumān & other Vānar chiefs followed behind him. Laxman saw Rāvan’s army ranged in battle array protecting the place. He surveyed & then penetrated enemy troops with his resplendent spotless weapons, like one enters a thick veil of darkness

Vibhishana said to Laxman-Let this army of demons be engaged with Vānaras in battle. You proceed fast, breaking the cover & reach Indrajit before he completes performing sacrifice. Hearing good advice, Laxman showered forth streams of arrows in the direction of Indrajit, while Vānaras and bears attacked demon army with rocks & trees. Tumultuous battle ensued & there was great uproar. Demons were being killed in thousands as if a cataclysm of death arrived

Enraged Indrajit, hearing that his army Is tormented by enemy, left the sacrifice in between. He came out of the thick foliage of trees & ascended his chariot. He was armed with his terrific bow & arrows & appeared as death personified. Seeing him, demon army was enthused to fight again with all their might. At that time Hanumān lifting a large tree was destroying demons in heaps. Indrajit seeing this asked his charioteer to take him to that site & hurled spears and axes on Hanumān

Hanumān challenged Indrajit & said-If you’re valiant, fight with me with your arms. Withstand my force & then you’ll be considered the best among demons. But Indrajit retracted his steps, to go back & finish his Yagya

Vibhishana took Laxman to the place where Indrajit was performing sacrificial rites, under a huge banyan tree and said-destroy Indrajit with his chariot, horses et al, before he reaches this place. Laxman took position twanging his bow in full length. Indrajit then appeared in a fire-colored chariot & immediately was invited by Laxman to fight

Seeing Vibhishana with Laxman, Indrajit in harsh words, said-O demon! You’re born & brought up in Lankā but now you’ve collaborated with enemy to bring it down. You are my father’s brother, my paternal uncle, so how can you be so hostile towards your son? You’re an abuser of righteousness, pitiable & deserve to be reproached

We raise fingers on others when they deviate against our perception of what is right & what wrong. But it is very important to evaluate the cause of our actions first. Are our actions only to gain something without any moral or spiritual order, a result of false ego or we act considering the context, significance & consequence per established scriptural principles. Indrajit, despite being foremost warrior, lost sense of propriety in supporting his father causing his downfall. He cannot discern who is at fault & blames his uncle for following dharma

Thoughts? #gameoflife