Shloka 3.41.12

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

Devanagari script

ये तीक्ष्णमन्त्रास्सचिवा भज्यन्ते सह तेन वै।विषमे तुरगा श्शीघ्रा मन्दसारथयो यथा।।।।

Transliteration

rājyaṃ pālayituṃ śakyaṃ na tīkṣṇena niśācara | na cāpi pratikūlena nāvinītena rākṣasa ||

Translation

O night-walker, a kingdom cannot be governed by one who is harsh; nor by one who is hostile; nor by one untrained in civility and restraint, O rākṣasa.

Context

Ministers who adopt improper strategies go down along with the king just like swift horses driven by a slow charioteer on a rugged terrain.

Characters & Entities

• Mārīca
• Rāvaṇa
• rājya (kingdom)

FAQs

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

Rāja-dharma requires restraint, courtesy, and non-hostility toward subjects; cruelty and arrogance destroy governance.

What is the narrative situation?

Mārīca cautions Rāvaṇa against a temperament unfit for kingship while urging him away from adharma-driven action.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vinaya (discipline and humility) and self-restraint as essential virtues of a ruler.