Shloka 2
अष्टत्रिंशः सर्गः — मारीचोपदेशः
Maricha’s Warning and the Memory of Rama’s Power
कदाचिदप्यहं वीर्यात्पर्यटन्पृथिवीमिमाम्।बलं नागसहस्रस्य धारयन्पर्वतोपमः।।3.38.1।।नीलजीमूतसङ्काशस्तप्तकाञ्चनकुण्डलः।भयं लोकस्य जनयन्किरीटी परिघायुधः।।3.38.2।।व्यचरं दण्डकारण्ये ऋषिमांसानि भक्षयन्।
kadācid api ahaṁ vīryāt paryaṭan pṛthivīm imām |
balaṁ nāga-sahasrasya dhārayan parvatopamaḥ || 3.38.1 ||
nīla-jīmūta-saṅkāśas tapta-kāñcana-kuṇḍalaḥ |
bhayaṁ lokasya janayan kirīṭī parighāyudhaḥ || 3.38.2 ||
Autrefois, poussé par ma seule vigueur brutale, j’errai sur cette terre : pareil à une montagne, portant la force de mille éléphants. Sombre comme un nuage de pluie, paré de pendants d’or éclatant et d’une couronne, l’arme à la main, je répandais la peur parmi les hommes.
Once I was roaming the earth, like a mountain possessing the strength of a thousand elephants, like a dark cloud, wearing bright gold ear-rings and crown,holding a spear in hand, terrorising the people. I was wandering in Dandaka forest feeding on the flesh of ascetics.
FAQs
Power without restraint becomes adharma: the verse frames fear-making and prideful strength as a moral warning, preparing the contrast with righteous heroism later.
Mārīca describes his former life as a terrifying wanderer, emphasizing his might and the fear he inspired.
By contrast (through negative portrayal), the virtue highlighted is self-control: true strength in the Ramayana is strength governed by dharma, not intimidation.