Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 91, Shloka 5
इन्द्रजित्-वधः
The Slaying of Indrajit
तमसाबहुलेनेमास्सम्सक्तांसर्वतोदिशः ।नेहविज्ञायतेस्वोवापरोवारक्षसोत्तमाः ।।।।
tamasā bahulenemāḥ saṃsaktāḥ sarvato diśaḥ | neha vijñāyate svo vā paro vā rākṣasottamāḥ ||
Sa siksik na dilim, ang lahat ng panig ng mga direksiyong ito ay nababalot; dito’y di na matukoy kung sino ang kakampi at sino ang kaaway—O pinakadakila sa mga Rākṣasa.
" As all directions are spread with darkness now it is not possible to know who one's own is or others at this time."
FAQs
The verse highlights how adharma thrives in confusion: when discernment collapses, harm can fall on friend and foe alike—Dharma requires clarity, discrimination, and accountability.
A battlefield is enveloped in thick darkness, making identification impossible; the line is spoken to rākṣasa combatants amid the chaos of night tactics.
Viveka (discernment) by contrast—its absence is shown as dangerous, underscoring why righteous conduct avoids tactics that erase moral clarity.