Shloka 3.36.12

मारीचप्रलोभनम् / Ravana Solicits Maricha’s Aid (Golden Deer Stratagem)

Devanagari script

येन वैरं विनाऽरण्ये सत्वमाश्रित्य केवलम्।।।।कर्णनासापहरणाद्भगिनी मे विरूपिता।तस्यभार्यां जनस्थानात्सीतां सुरसुतोपमाम्।।।आनयिष्यामि विक्रम्य सहायस्तत्र मे भव।

Transliteration

yena vairaṁ vinā 'raṇye sattvam āśritya kevalam | karṇa-nāsāpaharaṇād bhaginī me virūpitā || 3.36.12 ||

Translation

Without any enmity, in the forest, relying only on his brute strength, he disfigured my sister by cutting off her ears and nose.

Context

With no enmity whatsoever, merely because he has strength, he cut off the nose and ears of my sister and mutilated her. His wife Sita is like the daughter of heaven. I would like to abduct her with force from Janasthana for which you should be my accomplice.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Mārīca
• Śūrpaṇakhā (implied by 'my sister')
• Lakṣmaṇa (agent of mutilation in the narrative context)
• Daṇḍakāraṇya/forest (general)

FAQs

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

The verse illustrates how personal grievance can be used to justify adharma; dharma requires proportionate, righteous response rather than escalating harm through vengeance.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa cites Śūrpaṇakhā’s mutilation as the provocation, building a case to enlist Mārīca in retaliatory action.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The implied virtue is restraint and justice; Rāvaṇa instead emphasizes retaliatory anger, showing the vice of vengeance.