Shloka 2

मारीचोपदेश

प्रतिषेधः / Ravana Rejects Maricha’s Counsel and Orders the Golden Deer Deception

Devanagari script

तं पथ्यहितवक्तारं मारीचं राक्षसाधिपः।अब्रवीत्परुषं वाक्यमयुक्तं कालचोदितः।।3.40.2।।

Transliteration

taṃ pathyahitavaktāraṃ mārīcaṃ rākṣasādhipaḥ | abravīt paruṣaṃ vākyam ayuktaṃ kālacoditaḥ || 3.40.2 ||

Translation

Poussé par le destin, le seigneur des rākṣasas adressa à Mārīca des paroles dures et inconvenantes, bien que Mārīca lui eût donné un conseil salutaire et bénéfique.

Word by Word

• तम्: that (him)
• तम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• पथ्य-हित-वक्तारम्: the speaker of wholesome and beneficial (words)
• पथ्य-हित-वक्तारम्: Karma (कर्म/Object; apposition to मारीचम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पथ्य + हित + वक्तृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; (agent noun: speaker)

• मारीचम्: Maricha
• मारीचम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मारीच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• राक्षस-अधिपः: king of demons
• राक्षस-अधिपः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राक्षस + अधिप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अब्रवीत्: said
• अब्रवीत्: Kriya (क्रिया/Finite verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (imperfect/past/लङ्), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• परुषम्: harsh
• परुषम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifies वाक्यम्)

• वाक्यम्: words, speech
• वाक्यम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अयुक्तम्: improper
• अयुक्तम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ + युक्त (युज्-धातु, कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त) with negation; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifies वाक्यम्)

• काल-चोदितः: impelled by fate/time
• काल-चोदितः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काल + चोदित (चुद्-धातु, कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle/क्त) used adjectivally; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifies राक्षसाधिपः)

Context

The king of the demons, driven by fate, replied with improper and harsh words to Maricha whose advice was salutary and beneficial to him :

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa (rākṣasādhipa)
• Mārīca

FAQs

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

Dharma includes respecting wise, beneficial advice; rejecting good counsel and speaking harshly is shown as a moral failing that accelerates downfall.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration describes Rāvaṇa’s reaction to Mārīca’s prudent advice—Rāvaṇa responds with anger and unfit speech.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The virtue of हितवचन (speaking for another’s good) is attributed to Mārīca, while Rāvaṇa’s lack of self-control and receptivity is criticized.