Shloka 11
मारीचस्य रावणं प्रति नीत्युपदेशः
Maricha’s Counsel on Kingship and Ruin to Ravana
राज्यं पालयितुं शक्यं न तीक्ष्णेन निशाचर।न चापि प्रतिकूलेन नाविनीतेन राक्षस।।।।
rājyaṃ pālayituṃ śakyaṃ na tīkṣṇena niśācara | na cāpi pratikūlena nāvinītena rākṣasa ||
يا سائرَ الليل، لا يُحكَمُ الملكُ بالقسوة؛ ولا بالعداوة؛ ولا بمن لا تهذيبَ له ولا ضبطَ للنفس، يا راكشاسا.
Ministers who adopt improper strategies go down along with the king just like swift horses driven by a slow charioteer on a rugged terrain.
FAQs
Rāja-dharma requires restraint, courtesy, and non-hostility toward subjects; cruelty and arrogance destroy governance.
Mārīca cautions Rāvaṇa against a temperament unfit for kingship while urging him away from adharma-driven action.
Vinaya (discipline and humility) and self-restraint as essential virtues of a ruler.