Shloka 11
मारीचस्य रावणं प्रति नीत्युपदेशः
Maricha’s Counsel on Kingship and Ruin to Ravana
राज्यं पालयितुं शक्यं न तीक्ष्णेन निशाचर।न चापि प्रतिकूलेन नाविनीतेन राक्षस।।।।
rājyaṃ pālayituṃ śakyaṃ na tīkṣṇena niśācara | na cāpi pratikūlena nāvinītena rākṣasa ||
夜に歩む者よ、国は苛烈さでは治められぬ。敵意でも治められぬ。礼と自制を欠く未熟さでも治められぬ、羅刹よ。
Ministers who adopt improper strategies go down along with the king just like swift horses driven by a slow charioteer on a rugged terrain.
FAQs
Rāja-dharma requires restraint, courtesy, and non-hostility toward subjects; cruelty and arrogance destroy governance.
Mārīca cautions Rāvaṇa against a temperament unfit for kingship while urging him away from adharma-driven action.
Vinaya (discipline and humility) and self-restraint as essential virtues of a ruler.