Shloka 3.41.4

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

Devanagari script

शत्रवस्तव सुव्यक्तं हीनवीर्या निशाचराः।इच्छन्ति त्वां विनश्यन्तमुपरुद्धं बलीयसा।।।।

Transliteration

śatravas tava suvyaktaṃ hīnavīryā niśācarāḥ | icchanti tvāṃ vinaśyantam uparuddhaṃ balīyasā ||

Translation

It is perfectly clear: your enemies among the night-rangers, now bereft of strength, desire to see you drawn into conflict with a mightier power—and thus destroyed.

Context

This is clear that your enemy demons are now powerless. Hence they want you to be engaged with a stronger power and be destroyed.

Characters & Entities

• Mārīca
• Rāvaṇa
• Rākṣasas (night-rangers/demons)
• Enemies of Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

Dharma includes rājanīti (ethical statecraft): one must recognize when others are pushing him toward adharma and disaster for their own ends.

What is the narrative situation?

Mārīca suggests that internal rivals or enemies want Rāvaṇa to provoke a stronger opponent (Rāma), so that Rāvaṇa will be ruined.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Strategic clarity and self-restraint: seeing hidden motives and avoiding needless conflict with superior force.