मारीचोपदेशः — Maricha’s Counsel to Ravana
On Rama’s Dharma and the Peril of Abduction
तस्य सा नरसिंहस्य सिंहोरस्कस्य भामिनी।प्राणेभ्योऽपि प्रियतरा भार्या नित्यमनुव्रता।।।।
tasya sā narasiṃhasya siṃhoraskasya bhāminī | prāṇebhyo 'pi priyatarā bhāryā nityam anuvratā ||
તે નરસિંહ, સિંહ સમા વિશાળ વક્ષસ્થળ ધરાવનાર રામની તેજસ્વી સીતા પત્ની છે; સદા પતિવ્રતા, તે તેને પ્રાણોથી પણ વધુ પ્રિય છે.
O king, it is always easy to find men who speak pleasing words, but it is difficult to get a speaker and a listener who use words unpleasant (to the ears) but beneficial (in life).
Dharma upholds marital sanctity and loyalty; violating such a bond is a grave adharma with severe consequences.
Mārīca reminds Rāvaṇa of the intimate, devoted bond between Rāma and Sītā to deter the abduction plan.
Sītā’s anuvratā-dharma (steadfast devotion) and Rāma’s deep, protective love.