Shloka 3.41.16

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

Devanagari script

तदिदं काकतालीयं घोरमासादितं मया।अत्र किं शोचनीयस्त्वं ससैन्यो विनशिष्यसि।।।।

Transliteration

avaśyaṃ vinaśiṣyanti sarve rāvaṇa rākṣasāḥ | yeṣāṃ tvaṃ karkaśo rājā durbuddhir ajitendriyaḥ ||

Translation

Surely, O Rāvaṇa, all the rākṣasas will perish when you—harsh as king, evil-minded, and uncontrolled in the senses—rule over them.

Context

I am faced with this dreadful disaster accidentally. You will not only be in a miserable state because of your misdeeds, you will perish along with your army.

Characters & Entities

• Mārīca
• Rāvaṇa
• rākṣasāḥ (rākṣasas)

FAQs

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

Indriya-jaya (mastery over the senses) is essential for rāja-dharma; a ruler’s lack of restraint becomes collective doom for the community.

What is the narrative situation?

Mārīca predicts the downfall of the rākṣasas as a direct result of Rāvaṇa’s temperament and moral failure.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Self-mastery (dama) and moral clarity (viveka) as prerequisites for authority.