Shloka 3.38.31

अष्टत्रिंशः सर्गः — मारीचोपदेशः (Maricha’s Warning and the Memory of Rama’s Power)

Devanagari script

भव स्वदारनिरतस्वकुलं रक्ष राक्षस।मानमृद्धिं च राज्यं च जीवितं चेष्टमात्मनः।।3.38.31।।

Transliteration

kalatrāṇi ca saumyāni mitravargaṃ tathaiva ca | yadīcchasi ciraṃ bhoktuṃ mā kṛthā rāmavipriyam || 3.38.32 ||

Translation

If you wish to enjoy for a long time your gentle wives and the company of your friends, do not commit any offense that makes you hostile to Rāma.

Context

Enjoy with your wives. Protect your race, prestige, kingdom, prosperity and your own dear life.

Characters & Entities

• Mārīca
• Rāvaṇa
• Rāma

FAQs

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

One should avoid actions that provoke righteous retaliation; dharma here is practical restraint—do not initiate unjust hostility against the dharmic hero.

What is the narrative situation?

Mārīca links Rāvaṇa’s future well-being (family and allies) to a single choice: do not antagonize Rāma by harming Sītā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Discernment (viveka): recognizing that lasting happiness depends on avoiding immoral conflict.