Shloka 3.35.5

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

Devanagari script

एवमुक्तः क्षेणेनैव सारथिर्लघुविक्रमः।रथं संयोजयामास तस्याभिमतमुत्तमम्।।।।

Transliteration

taṃ svayaṃ pūjayitvā tu bhojanenodakena ca |

arthopahitayā vācā mārīco vākyam abravīt ||

Translation

After personally honoring him with food and water, Mārīca spoke to him in words weighted with purpose.

Context

Thus ordered, the smart charioteer got the chariot of his choice harnessed in an instant.

Characters & Entities

• Mārīca
• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

Speech should be artha-yukta—truthful and purposeful. The Ramayana repeatedly treats vāṇī (speech) as a moral instrument that can uphold dharma or enable adharma.

What is the narrative situation?

Hospitality concludes and the dialogue begins; Mārīca prepares to question Rāvaṇa’s sudden arrival.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Measured, meaningful speech—communication that is not idle but directed toward understanding motives and circumstances.