Shloka 3.37.6

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

Devanagari script

अपि त्वामीश्वरं प्राप्य कामवृत्तं निरङ्कुशम्।न विनश्येत्पुरी लङ्का त्वया सह सराक्षसा।।।।

Transliteration

sa sarvaiḥ sacivaiḥ sārdhaṃ vibhīṣaṇapurogamaiḥ |

mantrayitvā tu dharmiṣṭhaiḥ kṛtvā niścayam ātmanaḥ ||

doṣāṇāṃ ca guṇānāṃ ca sampradhārya balābalam |

ātmanaś ca balaṃ jñātvā rāghavasya ca tattvataḥ ||

hitāhitaṃ viniścitya kṣamaṃ tvaṃ kartum arhasi |

Translation

Consult with all your ministers, with righteous counsellors led by Vibhīṣaṇa, and then settle your decision. Weigh faults and merits, and assess strength and weakness—both your own and Rāghava’s in truth. Having determined what is beneficial and what is harmful, do what is proper.

Context

I hope the city of Lanka along with the (entire) race of demons will not be destroyed, with a dictator like you who is a slave to sensual pleasure.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Rāghava (Rāma)
• Ministers (saciva)

FAQs

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

Rajadharma requires deliberation with righteous advisers and truthful assessment (tattvataḥ) of power, merit, and consequences before acting.

What is the narrative situation?

Mārīca urges Rāvaṇa to consult his council—especially dhārmic voices like Vibhīṣaṇa—before taking steps against Rama, stressing realistic appraisal.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The virtue of prudent decision-making: seeking dhārmic counsel, weighing pros and cons, and choosing what is ‘kṣama’ (proper).