Shloka 3.40.6
मारीचोपदेश-प्रतिषेधः / Ravana Rejects Maricha’s Counsel and Orders the Golden Deer Deception
अवश्यन्तु मया तस्य संयुगे खरघातिनः।प्राणैः प्रियतरा सीता हर्तव्या तव सन्निधौ।।3.40.6।।
evaṃ me niścitā buddhir hṛdi mārīca vartate |
na vyāvartayituṃ śakyā sendrair api surāsuraiḥ ||3.40.7||
Thus, O Mārīca, this resolve stands fixed in my heart; it cannot be turned back even by gods and demons, Indra included.
In your very presence I will surely abduct Sita, wife of Rama who killed Khara in war,Sita whom he loves more than his life.
Dharma esteems steadfastness only when aligned with righteousness. Here, unwavering resolve is ethically empty because it is directed toward adharma.
Rāvaṇa ends debate by claiming his decision is irreversible, rejecting any possibility of persuasion.
The verse highlights (negatively) obstinacy; it contrasts with the Ramayana’s ideal of firmness in dharma, not firmness in wrongdoing.