Shloka 3.41.8
मारीचस्य रावणं प्रति नीत्युपदेशः (Maricha’s Counsel on Kingship and Ruin to Ravana)
धर्ममर्थं च कामं च यशश्च जयतां वर।स्वामिप्रसादात्सचिवाः प्राप्नुवन्ति निशाचर।।।।
dharmam arthaṃ ca kāmaṃ ca yaśaś ca jayatāṃ vara | svāmiprasādāt sacivāḥ prāpnuvanti niśācara ||
O night-roamer, best among the victorious: by the lord’s favor ministers attain dharma, prosperity, pleasure, and fame.
O Ravana ! the best among the successful ministers attain piety, prosperity, pleasures and fame by the grace of the king.
The king’s conduct is ethically consequential: his grace and example enable the flourishing of dharma and the legitimate aims of life in his administration.
Mārīca explains the dependence of ministers’ fortunes—moral and material—on the ruler, preparing the critique that follows if the ruler is flawed.
Responsible leadership: the ruler’s duty to uphold dharma so that dependents can thrive rightly.