66697602-The-Ramayana-R-K-Narayan

are virtues intended to be practised only on weaker
creatures? When strong men commit crimes, they become
heroic deeds? Oh, incomparable one, the treasure and the
kingdom given to you, you handed over to the younger
brother. That you performed in the city; do you wish to repeat
a similar act in these forests too by depriving an older
brother of his life and kingdom? When two persons are
opposed to each other, how can you in support of one, hide
and attack the other? What you have done to me is not
heroic or an act conducted within the laws of warfare. Surely,
you do not consider me a burden on this weighty earth nor
are you my enemy. Pray, tell me what drove you to this
terrible decision? Ravana entrapped your wife and carried
her off. To redeem her and to wreak your vengeance on him,
you probably seek the support of Sugreeva, which is like
courting a rabbit, when you can summon a lion to serve you.
Pray what judgement is this? A word from you and I’d have
plucked Ravana from his citadel and flung him at your feet.
“You have done a thing which has ended my life. If
someone has carried away your wife, instead of battling with
him face to face, you stand aside, hide, and use all your
accomplishment as an archer against an unarmed stranger.
Has all your training as a warrior been only for this end?
Creatures like us test our worth and strength with our sinews
and muscles and always fight barehanded, and never hold a
weapon as you do.”