Shloka 9
मारीचोपदेश
प्रतिषेधः / Ravana Rejects Maricha’s Counsel and Orders the Golden Deer Deception
सम्पृष्टेन तु वक्तव्यं सचिवेन विपश्चिता।उद्यताञ्जलिना राज्ञे य इच्छेद्भूतिमात्मनः।।3.40.9।।
sampṛṣṭena tu vaktavyaṃ sacivena vipaścitā |
udyatāñjalinā rājñe ya icched bhūtim ātmanaḥ ||3.40.9||
เสนาบดีผู้รอบรู้ หากปรารถนาความผาสุกของตน พึงกราบทูลพระราชาเมื่อถูกถามเท่านั้น และทูลด้วยประนมมือ
If I asked you the merits or demerits, the risks involved or the way out while deciding a case, you should have said what you did.
FAQs
Rājadharma includes proper etiquette and timing in counsel. Yet the higher dharma is truth-speaking for the common good; the narrative shows the tension between courtly protocol and moral urgency.
Rāvaṇa lectures Mārīca on how ministers should address kings, as a way to dismiss Mārīca’s warnings.
The stated virtue is respectful, disciplined speech in governance; the episode also underscores the courage needed to speak truth even when unwelcome.