Shloka 3.41.13

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

Devanagari script

बहवस्साधवो लोके युक्ता धर्ममनुष्ठिताः।परेषामपराधेन विनष्टास्सपरिच्छदाः।।।।

Transliteration

ye tīkṣṇamantrāḥ sacivā bhajyante saha tena vai | viṣame turagāḥ śīghrā mandasārathayo yathā ||

Translation

Ministers who follow harsh and improper strategies are ruined along with that ruler—like swift horses that come to grief on rough ground when driven by a sluggish charioteer.

Context

Persons who walk the righteous path go down in this world along with their kith and kin due to the mistakes committed by others .

Characters & Entities

• Mārīca
• Rāvaṇa
• saciva (ministers)
• sārathi (charioteer)
• turaga (horses)

FAQs

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

Adharma in policy and counsel harms both leadership and administration; collective responsibility in governance demands wise strategy.

What is the narrative situation?

Mārīca argues that destructive royal policy drags ministers down with the king, illustrated through a chariot metaphor.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Nīti (sound statecraft) and competent guidance—good leadership prevents even capable agents from failing.