Shloka 3.36.22
मारीचप्रलोभनम् / Ravana Solicits Maricha’s Aid (Golden Deer Stratagem)
तस्य रामकथां श्रुत्वा मारीचस्य महात्मनः।शुष्कं समभवद्वक्त्रं परितप्ता बभूव ह।।।।
tasya rāmakathāṃ śrutvā mārīcasya mahātmanaḥ |
śuṣkaṃ samabhavad vaktraṃ paritapto babhūva ha ||
On hearing the mention of Rāma, the great Mārīca’s mouth went dry, and he became deeply distressed.
At the mention of Rama's name, great Maricha's mouth dried up and he became concerned.
It reflects karmic moral psychology: wrongdoing produces fear when confronted with righteousness. Dharma functions as an inner compass—its violation leads to anxiety and unrest.
The narration describes Mārīca’s immediate physical and mental reaction when Rāvaṇa brings up Rāma in the context of a plot.
Rāma’s dharmic valor is emphasized indirectly: even the thought of him unsettles a seasoned rākṣasa like Mārīca.