Shloka 2
मारीचोपदेशः — Maricha’s Counsel to Ravana
On Rama’s Dharma and the Peril of Abduction
सुलभाः पुरुषा राजन्सततं प्रियवादिनः।अप्रियस्य तु पथ्यस्य वक्ता श्रोता च दुर्लभः।।।।
sulabhāḥ puruṣā rājan satataṃ priyavādinaḥ | apriyasya tu pathyasya vaktā śrotā ca durlabhaḥ ||
ข้าแต่มหาราช บุรุษผู้กล่าวแต่ถ้อยคำไพเราะอยู่เสมอนั้นหาได้ง่าย แต่ผู้กล่าวคำที่ไม่น่าฟังทว่าเป็นประโยชน์—และผู้ยอมฟังคำเช่นนั้น—ทั้งสองล้วนหาได้ยาก
Sita is protected by the strength of her character. How do you desire to carry her away forcibly (from Rama) ? Can any one separate the radiance of the Sun from the Sun itself ?
FAQs
Dharma here is truthful, welfare-oriented speech (pathya) over mere pleasantness; wisdom requires both the courage to advise and the humility to hear hard truths.
Mārīca begins advising Rāvaṇa, warning him that flattering words are common but beneficial counsel—though unpleasant—is rare.
The virtue of satya-hita-vākya: speaking truth for another’s good, and the parallel virtue of being receptive to correction.