Fiendish script? How can you say that about one of the most flexible, useful scripts extant? (It beats heck out of Roman for ability in just about any functional criterion you choose!)

While I wouldn't call Devanagri a fiendish script. I think it's quite beautiful and easy to learn. I also don't see how it's any better or worse than other alphabetic or syllabic scripts (say Roman alphabet or Korean Hanggul).