# Araṇya Kāṇḍa 38 — Rāvaṇa compels Mārīca *He rejects unwelcome advice, offers half his Kingdom for help and threatens immediate death if Mārīca refuses the deer disguise* Portion: The abduction plan and Mārīca’s warnings · Verses: 21 · Ref format: 3.38. ## Sequence - Rāvaṇa refuses Mārīca's advice and declares that neither Suras nor asuras can change his decision to take Sītā (38.1–7) - he lectures him on a minister's obligation to address a King respectfully and avoid unwelcome words (38.8–13) - he says he came for assistance, not a judgment on the plan (38.14) - he repeats the instructions to become a golden, silver-spotted deer and attract Sītā, expecting both brothers to leave her in pursuit (38.15–17) - he offers Mārīca half his Kingdom and freedom to go afterward (38.18–19) - then he makes the choice explicit: facing Rāma may risk death, but refusing Rāvaṇa will bring certain death immediately (38.20–21). ## Verses **3.38.1** mārīcena tu tad vākyaṃ kṣamaṃ yuktaṃ ca rāvaṇaḥ ukto na pratijagrāha martukāma ivauṣadham Though addressed by Mārīca with those words, fitting and proper, Rāvaṇa did not accept them, like a man wishing to die (refusing) his medicine. **3.38.2** taṃ pathyahitavaktāraṃ mārīcaṃ rākṣasādhipaḥ abravīt paruṣaṃ vākyam ayuktaṃ kālacoditaḥ To that Mārīca, who spoke what was wholesome and beneficial, the lord of rākṣasas, driven by fate, spoke harsh and unfitting words: **3.38.3** yat kilaitad ayuktārthaṃ mārīca mayi kathyate vākyaṃ niṣphalam atyarthaṃ bījam uptam ivoṣare This unreasonable thing that is being said to me, Mārīca, is utterly fruitless talk, like seed sown in barren soil. **3.38.4** tvadvākyair na tu māṃ śakyaṃ bhettuṃ rāmasya saṃyuge pāpaśīlasya mūrkhasya mānuṣasya viśeṣataḥ By your words I cannot be turned aside from battle with Rāma—least of all from a man of evil character, a mere fool. **3.38.5** yas tyaktvā suhṛdo rājyaṃ mātaraṃ pitaraṃ tathā strīvākyaṃ prākṛtaṃ śrutvā vanam ekapade gataḥ who, forsaking friends, kingdom, mother, and father, on hearing the vulgar word of a woman, went off to the forest in a single step. **3.38.6** avaśyaṃ tu mayā tasya saṃyuge kharaghātinaḥ prāṇaiḥ priyatarā sītā hartavyā tava saṃnidhau But I must surely, in your presence, carry off Sītā, who is dearer than life to that slayer of Khara in battle. **3.38.7** evaṃ me niścitā buddhir hṛdi mārīca vartate na vyāvartayituṃ śakyā sendrair api surāsuraiḥ Such is the resolve fixed in my heart, Mārīca; it cannot be turned aside even by the gods and asuras together with Indra. **3.38.8** doṣaṃ guṇaṃ vā saṃpṛṣṭas tvam evaṃ vaktum arhasi apāyaṃ vāpy upāyaṃ vā kāryasyāsya viniścane When consulted about the fault or the merit, you ought to speak fittingly—about the drawback or the means in deciding this undertaking. **3.38.9** saṃpṛṣṭena tu vaktavyaṃ sacivena vipaścitā udyatāñjalinā rājño ya icched bhūtim ātmanaḥ A wise minister, when consulted, must speak to the king with palms raised in salutation, if he desires his own welfare. **3.38.10** vākyam apratikūlaṃ tu mṛdupūrvaṃ śubhaṃ hitam upacāreṇa yuktaṃ ca vaktavyo vasudhādhipaḥ The lord of the earth must be addressed with words that are not disagreeable, gentle, auspicious, beneficial, and coupled with courtesy. **3.38.11** sāvamardaṃ tu yad vākyaṃ mārīca hitam ucyate nābhinandati tad rājā mānārho mānavarjitam But a word that, however beneficial, Mārīca, is spoken with a slight—that a king worthy of honour, being thus stripped of honour, does not welcome. **3.38.12** pañcarūpāṇi rājāno dhārayanty amitaujasaḥ agner indrasya somasya yamasya varuṇasya ca auṣṇyaṃ tathā vikramaṃ ca saumyaṃ daṇḍaṃ prasannatām Kings of boundless energy bear five forms—of Agni, Indra, Soma, Yama, and Varuṇa: heat, valour, mildness, punishment, and graciousness. **3.38.13** tasmāt sarvāsv avasthāsu mānyāḥ pūjyāś ca pārthivāḥ tvaṃ tu dharmam avijñāya kevalaṃ moham āsthitaḥ Therefore in all conditions kings are to be revered and honoured; but you, not understanding the law, are wholly given over to delusion. **3.38.14** abhyāgataṃ māṃ daurātmyāt paruṣaṃ vadasīdṛśam guṇadoṣau na pṛcchāmi kṣamaṃ cātmani rākṣasa asmiṃs tu sa bhavān kṛtye sāhāryyaṃ kartum arhasi Out of malice you speak such harsh words to me, who have come to you (as a guest); I ask you neither about merits and faults nor about what is fitting for me, O rākṣasa; but your honour must render assistance in this task. **3.38.15** sauvarṇas tvaṃ mṛgo bhūtvā citro rajatabindubhiḥ pralobhayitvā vaidehīṃ yatheṣṭaṃ gantum arhasi Becoming a golden deer, dappled with silver spots, and having enticed Vaidehī, you may then go where you please. **3.38.16** tvāṃ tu māyā mṛgaṃ dṛṣṭvā kāñcanaṃ jātavismayā ānayainam iti kṣipraṃ rāmaṃ vakṣyati maithilī Seeing you as a golden illusion-deer, Maithilī, filled with wonder, will quickly say to Rāma, 'Fetch this one!' **3.38.17** apakrānte ca kākutsthe lakṣmaṇe ca yathāsukham ānayiṣyāmi vaidehīṃ sahasrākṣaḥ śacīm iva And when Kākutstha and Lakṣmaṇa have gone away, I shall carry off Vaidehī at my ease, as the thousand-eyed one carried off Śacī. **3.38.18** evaṃ kṛtvā tv idaṃ kāryaṃ yatheṣṭaṃ gaccha rākṣasa rājyasyārdhaṃ pradāsyāmi mārīca tava suvrata Having thus done this deed, go where you please, O rākṣasa; I will give you half my kingdom, Mārīca, O man of good vows. **3.38.19** gaccha saumya śivaṃ mārgaṃ kāryasyāsya vivṛddhaye prāpya sītām ayuddhena vañcayitvā tu rāghavam laṅkāṃ prati gamiṣyāmi kṛtakāryaḥ saha tvayā Go, gentle one, by an auspicious road, for the furtherance of this task; having won Sītā without a fight, deceiving Rāghava, I shall return to Laṅkā, my object accomplished, together with you. **3.38.20** etat kāryam avaśyaṃ me balād api kariṣyasi rājño hi pratikūlastho na jātu sukham edhate This task of mine you shall do, even by force if need be; for one who stands opposed to a king never prospers in ease. **3.38.21** āsādyā taṃ jīvitasaṃśayas te mṛtyur dhruvo hy adya mayā virudhya etad yathāvat parigṛhya buddhyā yad atra pathyaṃ kuru tat tathā tvam On encountering him, your life would be at risk; but by opposing me, your death today is certain. Grasping this rightly with your mind, do here whatever is best.