Shloka 14
मारीचप्रलोभनम् / Ravana Solicits Maricha’s Aid
Golden Deer Stratagem
त्वया ह्यहं सहायेन पार्श्वस्थेन महाबल।।।।भ्रातृभिश्च सुरान्युद्धे समग्रान्नाभिचिन्तये।तत्सहायो भव त्वं मे समर्थो ह्यसि राक्षस।।।।
tvayā hy ahaṁ sahāyena pārśvasthena mahābala | bhrātṛbhiś ca surān yuddhe samagrān nābhicintaye | tat sahāyo bhava tvaṁ me samartho hy asi rākṣasa || 3.36.14 ||
Avec toi comme aide à mes côtés, ô puissant, et avec mes frères, je ne redoute même pas l'ensemble des dieux au combat. Sois donc mon complice, ô Rakshasa.
You are mighty. I do not care to fight even the gods when you and my brothers are by my side. Therefore, O demon, be my accomplice. (I know) you are capable of that.
FAQs
The verse warns against pride (darpā) and unethical alliances: confidence in power does not confer moral right; dharma requires right means, not merely strong support.
Rāvaṇa attempts to secure Mārīca’s cooperation by boasting of invincibility with allies, urging him to join the plan.
By negative example, humility and discernment are the virtues; Rāvaṇa displays arrogance and coercive persuasion.