Shloka 3.39.19

एकोनचत्वारिंशः सर्गः (Aranyakanda 39): राक्षसस्य रामत्रासवर्णनम् / The Demon’s Account of Rama-Fear

Devanagari script

रणे रामेण युद्ध्यस्व क्षमां वा कुरु राक्षस ।न ते रामकथा कार्या यदि मां द्रष्टुमिच्छसि ।। ।।

Transliteration

raṇe rāmeṇa yuddhyasva kṣamāṃ vā kuru rākṣasa |

na te rāmakathā kāryā yadi māṃ draṣṭum icchasi ||

Translation

Fight Rāma in battle, O rākṣasa—or else make peace. But if you wish to see me alive, speak not and plot not concerning Rāma.

Context

Missing

Characters & Entities

• Marīca
• Rāma
• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

Dharma favors de-escalation and accountability: either meet consequences openly (battle) or choose reconciliation (peace), but avoid deceitful obsession that leads to wider harm.

What is the narrative situation?

Marīca sets boundaries with Rāvaṇa: he implies that any scheme centered on Rāma will be fatal, and he will not be part of it.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral courage: Marīca speaks plainly to power and signals refusal to enable an unrighteous course.