Indrajit (Mythological Monologues #9)

Injustice and Cruelty

Are the words they use

For the way my father- Dashanan

Abducted Sita from Panchavati

Dusguising as a mendicant;

But what about that night

When Lakshmana attacked me

While I was unarmed 

Worshipping Lord Shiva

In the Nikumvilla Yagna?

I- Ravana's brave son, Indrajit 

The possessor of three celestial weapons

Expert in sorcery and magical warfare

Wanted to win a fair battle
Protect my country, Lanka

On the grounds of my strength and boons

Never did I strategize and plan 

To slay my powerful opponent 

When he is absolutely unarmed

Laying his soul bare

To his deity. 

"Ego, pride and greed

Will bring your downfall"-said

my uncle Vibhisana 

to my father Ravana

Before leaving Lanka

And surrendering at Rama's feet.

But what about the despicable betrayal

Of my paternal uncle 

when he showed Lakshmana

The way to my deity's secret temple

So that Lakhmana can brutally

Slay me at my weakest moment?

I begged him repeatedly

To not fight with an unarmed person

But he did not hear my pleas

As I endangered his life earlier.

I- Indrajit fought bravely 

With utensils of the yagna;

My heart exploding to pieces

Not by Lakshmana's attack

But by my Uncle's betrayal.

I was not given a fair chance to fight

As I was too powerful for the enemy.

I- Meghnada don't have any regrets

I lived like a supreme warrior

I died like a brave patriot

An ideal son of mighty Ravana

Who loved his family and country

But my Uncle will live like a deceiver

More than a devotee of Rama, 

People will call him a traitor

Despite winning the battle, 

He will be haunted every night

By the gruesome cries of his 

Brothers, nephews, wife and children. 

©Purba Chakraborty

10.04.2020

Note: Indrajit or Meghnada was the son of Ravana and Mandodari in the Hindu epic, Ramayana.  Indrajit, the Prince of Lanka is regarded as one of the greatest warriors. 

Heroic Bhima (Mythological Monologues #8)