Sāvitrī’s Report and Nārada’s Prognosis (सावित्र्याख्यान—सत्यवान्-गुणवर्णनं तथा अल्पायुषः पूर्वसूचना)
तत्राभ्यगच्छन्मारीचं पूर्वामात्यं दशानन: । पुरा रामभयादेव तापस्यं समुपाश्रितम्,वहाँ रावण अपने भूतपूर्व मन्त्री मारीचसे मिला, जो श्रीरामचन्द्रजीके भयसे ही पहलेसे उस स्थानमें आकर तपस्या करता था
tatrābhyagacchan mārīcaṃ pūrvāmātyaṃ daśānanaḥ | purā rāmabhayād eva tāpasyaṃ samupāśritam ||
Ali, Daśānana (Rāvaṇa) foi ao encontro de Mārīca, seu antigo ministro, que outrora se refugiara na vida ascética precisamente por medo de Rāma. O episódio ressalta como o temor ao poder do justo pode levar até os violentos a uma austeridade exterior, enquanto o praticante do adharma ainda procura explorá-los para seus próprios fins.
(श्रीरम उवाच
Fear of a truly righteous force can restrain wrongdoing and even push a person toward austerity, but ethical transformation requires inner change; otherwise, ascetic appearance may remain merely a refuge born of fear rather than genuine dharmic commitment.
Rāvaṇa approaches Mārīca, his former minister. Mārīca has been living as an ascetic because he previously became afraid of Rāma; the meeting sets the stage for Rāvaṇa to seek Mārīca’s involvement or counsel.