Shloka 3.41.10

मारीचस्य रावणं प्रति नीत्युपदेशः (Maricha’s Counsel on Kingship and Ruin to Ravana)

Devanagari script

राजमूलो हि धर्मश्च जयश्च जयतां वर।तस्मात्सर्वास्ववस्थासु रक्षितव्या नराधिपाः।।।।

Transliteration

rājamūlo hi dharmaś ca jayaś ca jayatāṃ vara |

tasmāt sarvāsv avasthāsu rakṣitavyā narādhipāḥ ||3.41.10||

Translation

O best among conquerors, dharma and victory are rooted in the king; therefore, in every condition and at every stage, kings must be protected.

Context

O Ravana, the best among the victorious! indeed the king is at the root of righteousness and victory.Therefore, the king should be protected by all at every stage.

Characters & Entities

• Mārīca
• Rāvaṇa
• King (narādhipa)
• Dharma
• Jaya (victory)

FAQs

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

Rājadharma teaches that the king is the institutional root of social order; if the king falls into adharma or is destroyed, dharma and stability collapse. Hence protecting (and correcting) the king is a public necessity.

What is the narrative situation?

Mārīca counsels Rāvaṇa on the nature of kingship and the stakes of royal conduct, attempting to restrain a disastrous course.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The virtue is responsible statecraft: prioritizing the preservation of righteous rule and long-term stability over impulsive desire.