Shloka 12
मायामृगप्रकरणम्
The Illusory Deer Episode: Ravana and Maricha at Rama’s Hermitage
अवतीर्य रथात्तस्मात्ततः काञ्चनभूषणात्।हस्ते गृहीत्वा मारीचं रावणो वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।3.42.12।।
avatīrya rathāt tasmāt tataḥ kāñcanabhūṣaṇāt |
haste gṛhītvā mārīcaṃ rāvaṇo vākyam abravīt ||3.42.12||
Lalu, turun dari kereta yang berhias perhiasan emas itu, Rāvaṇa menggenggam tangan Mārīca dan berkata kepadanya.
Then Ravana got off the chariot decorated with golden embellishments and, holding Maricha's hand, said:.
FAQs
The verse highlights coercive leadership: physical control (“holding by the hand”) precedes instruction. Dharma cautions against using power and intimidation to compel others into harmful acts.
At the hermitage vicinity, Rāvaṇa dismounts and prepares to direct Mārīca to enact the deception.
Mārīca’s agency is pressured; the scene foregrounds the absence of righteous restraint in Rāvaṇa’s conduct—an anti-virtue (abuse of authority).