Shloka 3.35.38

मारीचाश्रमगमनम् (Ravana’s Journey to Maricha’s Hermitage)

Devanagari script

तत्र कृष्णाजिनधरं जटावल्कलधारिणम्।ददर्श नियताहारं मारीचं नाम राक्षसाम्।।।।

Transliteration

yānaśālāṃ tato gatvā pracchanno rākṣasādhipaḥ |

sūtaṃ sañcodayāmāsa rathaḥ saṃyojyatām iti ||

Translation

Then the lord of the rākṣasas went secretly to the chariot-shed and commanded the charioteer, “Harness the chariot.”

Context

There he saw a demon Maricha, by name, clad in dark deer-skin and bark ,with matted hair and living on restricted food.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• sūta (charioteer)
• yānaśālā (chariot-shed)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

The verse highlights the opposite of dharma: secrecy used for harmful intent. In the Ramayana, covert action (pracchanna) often signals adharma when it serves deception rather than protection.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa prepares to depart by having a chariot readied, indicating urgency and a planned mission.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

No virtue is celebrated; instead, Rāvaṇa’s calculated, secretive resolve is foregrounded as a narrative marker of impending wrongdoing.