Shloka 7
मारीचोपदेशः — Maricha’s Counsel to Ravana
On Rama’s Dharma and the Peril of Abduction
त्वद्विधः कामवृत्तो हि दुश्शीलः पापमन्त्रितः।आत्मानं स्वजनं राष्ट्रं स राजा हन्ति दुर्मतिः।।।।
tvadvidhaḥ kāmavṛtto hi duśśīlaḥ pāpamantritaḥ |
ātmānaṃ svajanaṃ rāṣṭraṃ sa rājā hanti durmatiḥ ||
त्वद्विधः कामवृत्तो हि दुश्शीलः पापमन्त्रितः। आत्मानं स्वजनं राष्ट्रं स राजा हन्ति दुर्मतिः॥
O dear! may there be good to all the demons in the world. If Rama gets enraged, he will make this world demonless.
FAQs
Rajadharma depends on virtuous conduct and good counsel; a ruler enslaved to desire and guided by sinful advice brings collective ruin.
Mārīca issues a direct moral indictment of Rāvaṇa’s leadership style as self-destructive and socially catastrophic.
The virtue emphasized is wise, ethical kingship—self-control and listening to righteous counsel—shown here by contrast through criticism of Rāvaṇa.