मारीचोपदेश-प्रतिषेधः / Ravana Rejects Maricha’s Counsel and Orders the Golden Deer Deception
अरण्यकाण्ड
Sarga 40 is a concentrated study in counsel, kingship, and coercive statecraft. Maricha offers competent, welfare-oriented advice, but Ravana—likened to one who refuses medicine while wishing to die—rejects it and responds with harsh, dismissive speech. Ravana frames ministerial speech norms: a counsellor should speak only when asked, with folded hands, and with decorum; yet he weaponizes these norms to silence inconvenient prudence. The discourse then pivots into a theory of royal persona: kings are said to bear five forms (fire, Indra, moon, Varuna, Yama), implying that rulers embody heat/energy, valor, gentleness, command, and punitive grace—hence they demand reverence in all conditions. Having asserted dominance, Ravana issues operational instructions: Maricha must transform into a wondrous golden deer with silver spots, appear before Sita at Rama’s hermitage, and lure Rama away. After Rama departs, Maricha is to cry out in a voice resembling Rama—“Ha Sita, Ha Lakshmana”—so that, urged by Sita, Lakshmana also leaves. Ravana then plans to abduct Vaidehi as Indra carried off Sachi, promising Maricha half the kingdom for compliance, but ultimately enforcing obedience by threat of immediate death. The chapter’s thematic lesson is the collapse of ethical governance when counsel is subordinated to ego, fate-driven obstinacy, and intimidation.
Verse 3.40.1
मारीचेन तु तद्वाक्यं क्षमं युक्तं च निशाचरः।उक्तो न प्रतिजग्राह मर्तुकाम इवौषधम्।।3.40.1।।
Though Mārīca spoke advice that was fitting and well-reasoned, the night-roamer (Rāvaṇa) did not accept it—like a man bent on death refusing medicine.
Verse 3.40.2
तं पथ्यहितवक्तारं मारीचं राक्षसाधिपः।अब्रवीत्परुषं वाक्यमयुक्तं कालचोदितः।।3.40.2।।
Driven onward by fate, the lord of the rākṣasas spoke harsh and improper words to Mārīca, though Mārīca had been offering wholesome and beneficial counsel.
Verse 3.40.3
यत्किलैतदयुक्तार्थं मारीच मयि कथ्यते।वाक्यं निष्फलमत्यर्थमुप्तं बीजमिवोषरे।।3.40.3।।
Your words cannot turn me back from meeting Rama in battle—Rama, whom I deem sinful and foolish, and above all merely a human.
Verse 3.40.4
त्वद्वाक्यैर्न तु मां शक्यं भेत्तुं रामस्य संयुगे।पापशीलस्य मूर्खस्य मानुषस्य विशेषतः।।3.40.4।।
He who, upon hearing a woman’s ordinary words, went at once to the forest—abandoning friends, kingdom, mother, and father.
Verse 3.40.5
यस्त्यक्त्वा सुहृदो राज्यं मातरं पितरं तथा।स्त्रीवाक्यं प्राकृतं श्रुत्वा वनमेकपदे गतः।।3.40.5।।
Surely, in your very presence I shall abduct Sītā—dearer to him than his own life—from that Rāma who slew Khara in battle.
Verse 3.40.6
अवश्यन्तु मया तस्य संयुगे खरघातिनः।प्राणैः प्रियतरा सीता हर्तव्या तव सन्निधौ।।3.40.6।।
Thus, O Mārīca, this resolve stands fixed in my heart; it cannot be turned back even by gods and demons, Indra included.
Verse 3.40.7
एवं मे निश्चिता बुद्धिर्हृदि मारीच वर्तते।न व्यावर्तयितुं शक्या सेन्द्रैरपि सुरासुरैः।।3.40.7।।
Only if you had been asked about the fault or merit—about the danger or the means—while deciding this undertaking, would such speech from you have been fitting.
Verse 3.40.8
दोषं गुणं वा सम्पृष्टस्त्वमेवं वक्तुमर्हसि।अपायं वाप्युपायं वा कार्यस्यास्य विनिश्चये।।3.40.8।।
A wise minister, if he desires his own welfare, should speak to the king only when asked—and then with folded hands.
Verse 3.40.9
सम्पृष्टेन तु वक्तव्यं सचिवेन विपश्चिता।उद्यताञ्जलिना राज्ञे य इच्छेद्भूतिमात्मनः।।3.40.9।।
If you confront him, your life becomes uncertain; but if you oppose me today, your death is certain. Grasp this rightly with your understanding, and do here and now whatever is truly beneficial for you.
Verse 3.40.10
वाक्यमप्रितकूलं तु मृदुपूर्वं हितं शुभम्।उपचारेण युक्तं च वक्तव्यो वसुधाधिपः।।3.40.10।।
A lord of the earth should be addressed with words that are not hostile—spoken gently, aiming at his welfare and auspicious good—properly framed with due decorum.
Verse 3.40.11
सावमर्दं तु यद्वाक्यं मारीच हितमुच्यते।नाभिनन्दति तद्राजा मानार्हो मानवर्जितम्।।3.40.11।।
O Mārīca, even counsel meant for good, when spoken in a crushing and disrespectful way, is not welcomed by a king worthy of honor.
Verse 3.40.12
पञ्च रूपाणि राजानो धारयन्त्यमितौजसः।अग्नेरिन्द्रस्य सोमस्य वरुणस्य यमस्य च।।3.40.12।।
Kings of immeasurable power assume five aspects: of Fire, of Indra, of Soma (the Moon), of Varuṇa, and of Yama.
Verse 3.40.13
औष्ण्यं तथा विक्रमं च सौम्यं दण्डं प्रसन्नताम्।धारयन्ति महात्मानो राजानः क्षणदाचर।।3.40.13।।तस्मात्सर्वास्ववस्थासु मान्याः पूज्याश्च पार्थिवाः।
O night-roamer, great-souled kings possess heat, valor, gentleness, punishment and discipline, and gracious favor. Therefore, in all conditions, earthly rulers are to be respected and revered.
Verse 3.40.14
त्वं तु धर्ममविज्ञाय केवलं मोहमास्थितः।अभ्यागतं मां दौरात्म्यात्परुषं वक्तुमिच्छसि।।3.40.14।।
But you, not understanding dharma and clinging only to delusion, wish—out of malice—to speak harshly to me, a guest who has come to you.
Verse 3.40.15
गुणदोषौ न पृच्छामि क्षमं चात्मनि राक्षस।मयोक्तं तव चैतावत्संप्रत्यमितविक्रमः।।3.40.15।।
O rākṣasa—O one of boundless prowess—I do not ask you now to weigh merits and faults, nor what is agreeable to you; I have said only this much to you at present.
Verse 3.40.16
अस्मिंस्तु त्वं महाकृत्ये साहाय्यं कर्तुमर्हसि।शृणु तत्कर्म साहाय्ये यत्कार्यं वचनान्मम।।3.40.16।।
In this great undertaking, you ought to render me assistance. Hear the deed you must do as aid, according to my command.
Verse 3.40.17
सौवर्णस्त्वं मृगो भूत्वा चित्रो रजतबिन्दुभिः । आश्रमे तस्य रामस्य सीतायाः प्रमुखे चर ।।3.40.17 ।।
Become a golden deer, dazzling with silver spots, and roam before Sītā near Rāma’s hermitage.
Verse 3.40.18
सौवर्णस्त्वं मृगो भूत्वा चित्रो रजतबिन्दुभिः।आश्रमे तस्य रामस्य सीतायाः प्रमुखे चर।प्रलोभयित्वा वैदेहीं यथेष्टं गन्तुमर्हसि।।3.40.18।।
Become a splendid golden deer, mottled with silver spots, and roam before Sītā in Rāma’s hermitage. Having enticed Vaidehī, you may then go wherever you wish.
Verse 3.40.19
त्वां तु मायामृगं दृष्ट्वा काञ्चनं जातविस्मया।आनयैनमिति क्षिप्रं रामं वक्ष्यति मैथिली।।3.40.19।।
But when Maithilī sees you—the illusory golden deer—astonishment will seize her, and she will quickly say to Rāma, “Bring that one for me.”
Verse 3.40.20
अपक्रान्ते तु काकुत्स्थे दूरं यात्वाप्युदाहर।हा सीते लक्ष्मणेत्येवं रामवाक्यानुरूपकम्।।3.40.20।।
Once the scion of Kakutstha has been drawn away, go some distance and then cry, “Alas, Sītā! Alas, Lakṣmaṇa!”—mimicking Rāma’s very words in a voice like his.
Verse 3.40.21
तच्छ्रुत्वा रामपदवीं सीतया च प्रचोदितः।अनुगच्छति सम्भ्रान्तः सौमित्रिरपि सौहृदात्।।3.40.21।।
Hearing that cry, and urged on by Sītā, Saumitrī too—alarmed and out of affection—will follow the path taken by Rāma.
Verse 3.40.22
अपक्रान्ते च काकुत्स्थे लक्ष्मणे च यथासुखम्।आनयिष्यामि वैदेहीं सहस्राक्षश्शचीमिव।।3.40.22।।
When both Kakutstha’s descendant and Lakṣmaṇa have gone away, I will take Vaidehī with ease—like the thousand-eyed Indra took Śacī.
Verse 3.40.23
एवं कृत्वा त्विदं कार्यं यथेष्टं गच्छ राक्षस।राज्यस्यार्धं प्रयच्छामि मारीच तव सुव्रत।।3.40.23।।
Having carried out this task in this manner, go wherever you please, O rākṣasa. O Mārīca of firm resolve, I will grant you half my kingdom.
Verse 3.40.24
गच्छ सौम्य शिवं मार्गं कार्यस्यास्य विवृद्धये।अहं त्वानुगमिष्यामि सरथो दण्डकावनम्।।3.40.24।।
Go, gentle one—may your road be auspicious for the full success of this mission. I will follow you, mounted on my chariot, into the Daṇḍaka forest.
Verse 3.40.25
प्राप्य सीतामयुद्धेन वञ्चयित्वा तु राघवम्।लङ्कां प्रतिगमिष्यामि कृतकार्यस्सह त्वया।।3.40.25।।
By deceiving Raghava and obtaining Sita without battle, I will return toward Lanka—my purpose accomplished—together with you.
Verse 3.40.26
न चेत्करोषि मारीच हन्मि त्वामहमद्य वै।एतत्कार्यमवश्यं मे बलादपि करिष्यसि।राज्ञो हि प्रतिकूलस्थो न जातु सुखमेधते।।3.40.26।।
If you do not do this, Maricha, I will kill you this very day. In any case, you will carry out this task for me—even by force. For one who stands against a king never thrives in comfort.
Verse 3.40.27
आसाद्य तं जीवितसंशयस्ते मृत्युर्ध्रुवो ह्यद्य मया विरुध्य।एतद्यथावत्प्रतिगृह्य बुद्ध्या यदत्र पथ्यं कुरु तत्तथा त्वम्।।3.40.27।।
O Maricha, what you are saying to me is ill-suited and purposeless—utterly fruitless, like a seed sown in saline, barren ground.