Shloka 3.31.36
अकम्पनवृत्तान्तः — Akampana Reports Janasthana; Ravana Plans Sita’s Abduction
स मारीचाश्रमं प्राप्य ताटकेयमुपागमत्।मारीचेनार्चितो राजा भक्ष्यभोज्यैरमानुषैः।।3.31.36।।
sa mārīcāśramaṃ prāpya tāṭakeyam upāgamat |
mārīcenārcito rājā bhakṣya-bhojyair amānuṣaiḥ || 3.31.36 ||
Reaching Mārīca’s hermitage, he approached Tāṭakeya (Mārīca). The king was honored by Mārīca with inhuman fare—foods to chew and foods to eat.
Ravana reached the hermitage of Maricha and met him who was the son of Tataka. The demon king was treated with food that can be chewed and food that can be eaten.
It highlights a distorted form of hospitality: social courtesies can exist even among the unrighteous, but dharma requires purity of means and intent.
Rāvaṇa arrives at Mārīca’s abode and is formally received with offerings.
Ritual courtesy (external politeness) is shown, though it is not framed as dharmic virtue due to the broader adharma of their aims.