Shloka 3.38.32

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

Devanagari script

कलत्राणि च सौम्यानि मित्रवर्गं तथैव च।यदीच्छसि चिरं भोक्तं मा कृथा रामविप्रियम्।।3.38.32।।

Transliteration

nivāryamāṇaḥ suhṛdā mayā bhṛśaṃ prasahya sītāṃ yadi dharṣayiṣyasi | gamiṣyasi kṣīṇabalaḥ sabāndhavo yamakṣayaṃ rāmaśarāt tajīvitaḥ || 3.38.33 ||

Translation

Though I, your well-wisher, strongly restrain you—if you still violate Sītā by force, your life will be taken by Rāma’s arrows, and with your kinsmen, your strength exhausted, you will go to Yama’s abode.

Context

If you wish to enjoy your beautiful wives and your good friends for long, do not create enmity with Rama.

Characters & Entities

• Mārīca
• Rāvaṇa
• Sītā
• Rāma
• Yama

FAQs

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

Forcible violation of a woman is extreme adharma and invites certain destruction; dharma protects the innocent and ensures moral retribution.

What is the narrative situation?

Mārīca gives a final, explicit consequence: if Rāvaṇa abducts/assaults Sītā despite counsel, Rāma will kill him and his kin.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Courageous truth-telling: Mārīca risks displeasing a powerful king to speak what is right and necessary.