Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 88, Shloka 15
इन्द्रजित्–लक्ष्मण संवादः तथा युद्धप्रवृत्तिः
Indrajit and Lakshmana: War-Boasts, Rebuke, and the Clash
अन्तर्धानगतेनाजौयस्त्वयाचरितस्तदा ।।।।तस्कराचरितोमार्गःनैषवीरनिषेवितः ।
antardhānagatena ājau yas tvayā caritas tadā | taskarācarito mārgaḥ naiṣa vīraniṣevitaḥ || 6.88.15 ||
That course you once took in battle—moving while concealed from sight—is the path of a thief; it is not the way followed by true warriors.
"Remaining invisible and moving in the battle then is the path of a thief which is not chosen by warriors."
FAQs
Yuddha-dharma favors open, accountable combat; deception that removes mutual visibility is criticized as unethical and unheroic.
Lakṣmaṇa censures Indrajit’s earlier tactic of fighting while hidden, framing it as dishonorable.
Honor in warfare (maryādā) and commitment to fair engagement.