Shloka 6.81.3
इन्द्रजितो मायासीतावधः — Indrajit’s Illusory Sita Episode and Hanuman’s Rebuke
स पश्चिमेवद्वारेणनिर्ययौराक्षसैर्वृतः ।इन्द्रजित्सुमहावीर्यःपौलस्त्योदेवकण्टकः ।।।।
tam evam uktvā rudatīṃ sītāṃ māyāmayīṃ ca tām | śitadhāreṇa khaṅgena nijaghāna indrajit svayam ||
Having spoken thus, Indrajit himself struck down with a keen-edged sword that weeping “Sītā”—a form wrought by illusion.
Paulastya (one of the nine mind born sons of Brahma, a scion of sage Paulastya), stupendous hero, a tormentor of Devatas, Indrajith, surrounded by Rakshasas came out through the western gate.
Dharma is violated through māyā and staged violence meant to collapse the enemy’s morale; the epic repeatedly treats deceit that targets the innocent as a mark of adharma.
Indrajit performs a public killing of an illusory Sītā to convince the vānaras that Rāma’s goal has become impossible.
Indrajit’s ‘virtue’ is only tactical skill; ethically, the episode emphasizes the absence of satya (truthfulness) and the use of māyā as manipulation.