Nothing Succeeds Like Dharma

This is in conjunction to Dharma Damned - Character Lakshmana

Though Lakshmana rants against Dharma in the entire sarga 83 (Yudha kanda) when he fights against Indrajit the battle becomes intense and 3 sarga of fight shows relentless Indrajit cause rampage to both Lakshmana and Vibhishana. Then Lakshmana calls upon Rama dharma-nishta (discipline) to shoot an arrow saying
“O my dear arrow! If Rama the son of Dasaratha has set his mind on virtue, keeps up his promise and is second to none in his prowess, destroy this Indrajit.”

धर्मात्मा सत्यसन्धश्च रामो दाशरथिर्यदि || ९०-६-७१
पौरुषे चाप्रतिद्वन्द्वस्तदेनं जहि रावणिम् |

This is the final arrow that kills Indrajit. Thereby Valmiki enunciates that Dharma should be followed however controversial and non beneficial it may seem to be in different circumstances. In short Dharma wins and it is rewarding to follow Dharma. Dharma can be misinterpreted as Indrajit accuses Vibhishana but self satisfying interpretations will not come to aid during crisis. A separate posting of Vibhishana and Indrajit dialogue is awaited.

                                              Back To Ramayana Topics List

All Sloka Translations are from the site Valmiki Ramayana