Shloka 17
मारीचोपदेशः — Maricha’s Counsel to Ravana
On Rama’s Dharma and the Peril of Abduction
धनुर्व्यादितदीप्तास्यं शरार्चिषममर्षणम्।चापबाणधरं तीक्ष्णं शत्रुसैन्यप्रहारिणम्।।3.37.16।।राज्यं सुखं च सन्त्यज्य जीवितं चेष्टमात्मनः।नात्यासादयितुं तात रामान्तकमिहार्हसि।।3.37.17।।
dhanur-vyādita-dīptāsyaṃ śarārciṣam amarṣaṇam | cāpa-bāṇa-dharaṃ tīkṣṇaṃ śatru-sainya-prahāriṇam || rājyaṃ sukhaṃ ca santyajya jīvitaṃ ceṣṭam ātmanaḥ | nātyāsādayituṃ tāta rāmāntakam ihārhasi ||
Mein Lieber, gib nicht dein Reich und dein Glück preis, ja nicht einmal dein teures Leben, um dich hier Rāma zu nähern—der dem Tod selbst gleicht—dessen Bogen wie ein flammend aufgerissener Rachen ist, dessen Pfeile Feuer sind, der im Zorn furchtbar, in der Kraft scharf und ein Vernichter feindlicher Heere ist.
Immeasurable indeed is the power of Rama to whom Sita, daughter of Janaka belongs. You are not competent to kidnap her, for she is under the refuge of Rama's bow in the forest.
FAQs
The same dharmic warning is reiterated: do not pursue adharma that costs life and legitimate power.
This record reflects a repeated/overlapping pāṭha in the Southern Recension presentation, echoing the preceding warning.
Persistence in giving corrective counsel, even when the recipient is resistant.