Shloka 3.37.21

मारीचोपदेशः — Maricha’s Counsel to Ravana (On Rama’s Dharma and the Peril of Abduction)

Devanagari script

किमुद्यममिमं व्यर्थं कृत्वा ते राक्षसाधिप।दृष्टश्चेत्वं रणे तेन तदन्तं तव जीवितम्।।।।

Transliteration

kim udyamam imaṃ vyarthaṃ kṛtvā te rākṣasādhipa | dṛṣṭaś cet tvaṃ raṇe tena tad-antaṃ tava jīvitam ||

Translation

O lord of the rākṣasas, why undertake this futile endeavor? If he beholds you on the battlefield, that very moment will be the end of your life.

Context

O chief of the demons, why do you make this futile attempt ? The moment you are seen by Rama in war will be the last of your life.

Characters & Entities

• Mārīca
• Rāvaṇa
• Rāma
• battlefield

FAQs

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

Actions against dharma bring swift consequences; wisdom is to abandon a sinful course before it becomes irreversible.

What is the narrative situation?

Mārīca bluntly predicts Rāvaṇa’s death if he confronts Rāma as a result of the planned wrongdoing.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Truthful warning (satya) spoken without fear of displeasing a powerful king.