Shloka 6.44.8

चतुश्चत्वारिंशः सर्गः (Sarga 44): निशायुद्धम्, धूलिरुधिरप्रवाहः, इन्द्रजितो मायायुद्धम्

Devanagari script

कुञ्जरान् कुञ्जरारोहान् पताकाध्वजिनोरथान् ।।।।कर्षुश्चददंशुश्चदशनैःक्रोधमूर्छिताः ।

Transliteration

prakāśarūpas tu tadā na śaktas tau bādhituṃ rākṣasarājaputraḥ |

māyāṃ prayoktuṃ samupājagāma babandha tau rājasutau durātmā ||

Translation

But then the rākṣasa prince, unable to overpower the two in open, visible combat, resorted to sorcery; that evil-minded one bound the two royal sons by deceit.

Context

Having lost senses in fury they dragged the elephants, those mounted upon them, and the chariots decorated with posts and flags and tore them with their teeth.

Characters & Entities

• Rākṣasarājaputra (Indrajit/Rāvaṇi)
• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Māyā

FAQs

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

Truthful, open contest aligns with dharma; when one cannot win fairly and turns to deception, it reveals moral failure—success sought without satya or honorable means.

What is the narrative situation?

Indrajit cannot subdue Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa face-to-face, so he employs māyā and binds them through deceit.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa’s superior martial integrity is implied by contrast; Indrajit’s lack of honor foregrounds the value of righteous strength.