Shloka 3.40.13

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

Devanagari script

औष्ण्यं तथा विक्रमं च सौम्यं दण्डं प्रसन्नताम्।धारयन्ति महात्मानो राजानः क्षणदाचर।।3.40.13।।तस्मात्सर्वास्ववस्थासु मान्याः पूज्याश्च पार्थिवाः।

Transliteration

auṣṇyaṃ tathā vikramaṃ ca saumyaṃ daṇḍaṃ prasannatām |

dhārayanti mahātmāno rājānaḥ kṣaṇadācara ||

tasmāt sarvāsv avasthāsu mānyāḥ pūjyāś ca pārthivāḥ |

Translation

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.

Context

Great kings possess heat, (of the fire-god), valour (of Indra), coolness (of the Moon), command (of Varuna) and grace (of the Lord of death). Therefore kings at all stages deserve respect and reverence.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Mārīca
• Kings (rājānaḥ, pārthivāḥ)

FAQs

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

Kingship is a dharmic office requiring both firmness (daṇḍa) and compassion (prasāda); society honors rulers because they must uphold order through these balanced powers.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa continues his justification for why Mārīca should speak deferentially, describing the ideal attributes of rulers.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Balanced governance—knowing when to be stern and when to be gentle.