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 ||
وہاں دس سروں والا راون اپنے سابق وزیر ماریچ کے پاس گیا؛ جو پہلے ہی شری رام کے خوف سے تپسیا کی پناہ لے کر اسی مقام پر رہتا تھا۔
(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.