Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 20, Shloka 18
राज्ञः शङ्का
प्रत्याख्यानम् (Daśaratha’s Objections to Sending Rāma) — Bala Kanda, Sarga 20
यदा स्वयं न यज्ञस्य विघ्नकर्ता महाबल:।।।।तेन सञ्चोदितौ द्वौ तु राक्षसौ वै महाबलौ।मारीचश्च सुबाहुश्च यज्ञविघ्नं करिष्यत:।।।।
yadā svayaṁ na yajñasya vighnakartā mahābalaḥ | tena sañcoditau dvau tu rākṣasau vai mahābalau | mārīcaś ca subāhuś ca yajñavighnaṁ kariṣyataḥ |
Quando aquele poderoso não vem ele mesmo perturbar o sacrifício, incita dois rākṣasas de grande força—Mārīca e Subāhu—para criarem obstáculos ao yajña.
Although endowed with great strength, Ravana, by himself, never created impediments to the sacrifice. But two rakshasas by name Maricha and Subahu are incited by him to cause obstacles".
FAQs
Undermining sacred rites through proxies is still adharma; moral responsibility includes incitement and indirect harm, not only direct action.
Daśaratha explains that even if Rāvaṇa is not personally present, he orchestrates attacks on sacrifices via Mārīca and Subāhu.
Vigilance—recognizing that threats to dharma can be indirect and coordinated.