Shloka 3.37.23
मारीचोपदेशः — Maricha’s Counsel to Ravana (On Rama’s Dharma and the Peril of Abduction)
स सर्वैस्सचिवैस्सार्धं विभीषणपुरोगमैः।मन्त्रयित्वा तु धर्मिष्ठैः कृत्वा निश्चयमात्मनः।।।।दोषाणां च गुणानां च सम्प्रधार्य बलाबलम्।आत्मनश्च बलं ज्ञात्वा राघवस्य च तत्वतः।।।।हिताहितं विनिश्चित्य क्षमं त्वं कर्तुमर्हसि।
na nūnaṃ budhyase rāmaṃ mahāvīryaṃ guṇonnatam |
ayuktacāraś capalo mahendravaruṇopamam ||
Surely you do not truly understand Rāma—mighty in valor and exalted in virtues, comparable to Indra and Varuṇa. Fickle and careless in gathering intelligence, you fail to grasp who he really is.
After consulting all your ministers and the righteous persons led by Vibhisana, you may take a decision. Assess the real strength and weakness, merits and demerits of your own and of Rama. Decide what is good or bad for you and then take steps you deem proper.
Dharma in governance requires clear discernment and truthful assessment of reality; a ruler should not act from fickleness or ignorance, but from informed judgment.
Mārīca warns Rāvaṇa that he misunderstands Rama’s true power and character, implying that reckless action against such a dhārmic hero will be ruinous.
Rama’s heroic strength and elevated virtue (guṇonnati) are highlighted, along with the implied virtue of prudent statecraft (knowing one’s opponent through proper counsel and intelligence).