Shloka 3.41.7

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

Devanagari script

अमात्यैः कामवृत्तो हि राजा कापथमाश्रितः।निग्राह्यस्सर्वथा सदभिर्न निग्राह्यो निगृह्यसे।।।।

Transliteration

amātyaiḥ kāmavṛtto hi rājā kāpatham āśritaḥ | nigrāhyaḥ sarvathā sadbhir na nigrāhyo nigṛhyase ||

Translation

For when a king is driven by desire and has taken to an evil course, he must be checked in every way by good ministers. Yet you—though fit to be restrained—are not restrained.

Context

Good ministrers should always prevent a lustful king from taking resourse to an evil path. Why were you not stopped, even though you deserve to be checked.

Characters & Entities

• Mārīca
• Rāvaṇa
• Amātyas/Ministers

FAQs

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

Dharma in rulership is self-control; when kāma overrides judgment, ethical governance collapses. Ministers have a dharmic obligation to restrain such a fall.

What is the narrative situation?

Mārīca frames Rāvaṇa’s intention as desire-driven and therefore an 'evil path,' criticizing the absence of corrective governance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Self-restraint and wise administration: the capacity to govern impulses through counsel and discipline.