It was not because of Dharma that Prithviraj fell. It was because his opponent was treacherous and would adopt any means to win. It was the first contact with barbarian invaders and he possibly never imagined this degree of deception and cruelty was possible. He was caught off guard so to say. Besides it was his own people who double crossed him something he did not anticipate. In any case a man’s greatness is not decided by his success and failures but by what he stood for, the idea that moved him and the force that was driving him to act. And there can be no doubt that Prithviraj was moved by the two of the highest virtues, courage and love. That he lost was perhaps destined. But what he stood for remains unconquered even in his defeat.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
