Shloka 3.40.11

मारीचोपदेश-प्रतिषेधः / Ravana Rejects Maricha’s Counsel and Orders the Golden Deer Deception

Devanagari script

सावमर्दं तु यद्वाक्यं मारीच हितमुच्यते।नाभिनन्दति तद्राजा मानार्हो मानवर्जितम्।।3.40.11।।

Transliteration

sāvamardaṃ tu yad vākyaṃ mārīca hitam ucyate |

nābhinandati tad rājā mānārho mānavarjitam ||

Translation

O Mārīca, even counsel meant for good, when spoken in a crushing and disrespectful way, is not welcomed by a king worthy of honor.

Context

A king who deserves honour does not feel happy to hear even good words of advice if said in disrespectful or authoritarian way, O Maricha !

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Mārīca
• King (rājā)

FAQs

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

Counsel should unite truth with respectful delivery; dharma is upheld not only by content but by non-violent, dignified speech.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa rebukes Mārīca, claiming that the manner of Mārīca’s advice is disrespectful and therefore unacceptable.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Respectful communication; implicitly, it warns against arrogance that rejects truth on the pretext of tone.