Shloka 12
मारीचोपदेश
प्रतिषेधः / Ravana Rejects Maricha’s Counsel and Orders the Golden Deer Deception
पञ्च रूपाणि राजानो धारयन्त्यमितौजसः।अग्नेरिन्द्रस्य सोमस्य वरुणस्य यमस्य च।।3.40.12।।
pañca rūpāṇi rājāno dhārayanty amitaujasaḥ |
agner indrasya somasya varuṇasya yamasya ca ||
إنّ الملوك ذوي البأس الذي لا يُقاس يتقمّصون خمسة أوجه: وجه النار، ووجه إندرا، ووجه سوما (القمر)، ووجه فارونا، ووجه يَما.
Very powerful kings assume five forms like fire, Indra, Moon, Varuna and Yama.
FAQs
Rajadharma requires a ruler to embody multiple modes—severity, valor, gentleness, restraint, and justice—according to circumstance.
In defending his status, Rāvaṇa describes the quasi-divine dimensions of kingship to demand deference from Mārīca.
The ideal of balanced rulership (multi-aspect governance), even though Rāvaṇa himself fails to live up to it.