Shloka 15
मारीचोपदेशः — Maricha’s Counsel to Ravana
On Rama’s Dharma and the Peril of Abduction
शरार्चिषमाधृष्यं चापखङ्गेन्धनं रणे।रामाग्निं सहसा दीप्तं न प्रवेष्टुं त्वमर्हसि।।।।
śarārciṣam ādhṛṣyaṃ cāpa-khaḍg-endhanaṃ raṇe | rāmāgniṃ sahasā dīptaṃ na praveṣṭuṃ tvam arhasi ||
汝は、戦場にて抗しがたいラーマという火に、軽々しく踏み入るべきではない。その炎は矢、その薪は弓と剣、忽ち燃え上がる。
You should not give up happiness,your dear life and kingdom and come to Rama who is a variable god of death. His bow is like on open burning mouth, and his flaming arrows are like fire. He is all anger. He is wielder of bow and arrows. He can strike the enemy army (alone).
FAQs
Dharma includes restraint and right judgment: do not pursue a wrongful aim that leads to self-destruction, especially against a righteous and superior opponent.
Mārīca uses a fire metaphor to dissuade Rāvaṇa from provoking Rāma through the planned abduction.
Rāma’s invincible valor in righteous battle, and the counsel of prudence as a protective virtue.