Shloka 3.39.21

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

Devanagari script

सोऽऽहं तवापराधेन विनश्येयं निशाचर।कुरु यत्ते क्षमं तत्त्वमहं त्वा नानुयामि ह।।।।

Transliteration

so 'haṃ tavāparādhena vinaśyeyaṃ niśācara |

kuru yat te kṣamaṃ tattvam ahaṃ tvā nānuyāmi ha ||

Translation

Thus, because of your offence, I would be ruined, O night-wanderer. Do what you truly deem fit for yourself; I will not follow you on this course.

Context

O demon ! As such, I will perish due to your offence. You may do anything you deem appropriate. I will not follow you.

Characters & Entities

• Marīca
• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

One should not become complicit in another’s wrongdoing. Dharma includes the right to refuse participation in adharma, even under pressure from authority.

What is the narrative situation?

Marīca predicts that Rāvaṇa’s plan will bring disaster and explicitly distances himself from it.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Integrity: choosing non-cooperation with unethical intent despite potential consequences.