Shloka 3.35.41

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

Devanagari script

कच्चित्सुकुशलं राजन्लङ्कायां राक्षसेश्वर।केनार्थेन पुनस्त्वं वै तूर्णमेवमिहागतः।।।।

Transliteration

tatra kṛṣṇājinadharaṃ jaṭāvalkaladhāriṇam |

dadarśa niyatāhāraṃ mārīcaṃ nāma rākṣasam ||

Translation

There he saw the rākṣasa named Mārīca—clad in a dark deerskin, wearing matted locks and bark-garments, living on measured fare.

Context

O king ! O lord of the demons ! hope all is well in Lanka. What brings you here again so soon ?

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Mārīca

FAQs

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

The verse cautions that ascetic outward signs can be imitated; dharma requires inner truth (satya) and intention, not merely external symbols of renunciation.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa arrives and finds Mārīca in an ascetic-like guise, setting the stage for persuasion and conspiracy.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Self-restraint is suggested by “regulated food,” but the context (a rākṣasa in ascetic garb) invites scrutiny of whether the restraint is genuine or strategic.