Rāmāyana | Āraṇya Kaṇḍa | Chapter 40

40. Rāvaṇa Threatens Mārīcha

[Rāvaṇa tells that he did not ask his advice and threatens to kill him, if he disobeys him. He also says that if both of them succeed in their plot, he would give him half his kingdom.]

That Rākṣasa did not accept Mārīcha's words though they were competent and logical, like a man desirous of dying does not take the suitable medicine. 40.1

That king of Rākṣasas hearing the very suitable words which were good for him, spoken by Mārīcha, driven by fate made a harsh and inappropriate reply. 40.2

"Oh Mārīcha, the words told by you are inappropriate and they are useless like the seeds sown in saline soil." 40.3

"Your words are incapable of dissuading me especially from a combat with Rāma who is sinner and a foolish man." 40.4

"Hearing the primitive words of a lady, he came at once to the forest leaving, friends, kingdom, mother as well as father." 40.5

"I consider it essential to abduct his wife whom he loves more than his life, in your presence since he killed Khara in war." 40.6

"Oh Mārīcha, I have decided my mind on that and nobody can stop me from that including Indra, devas and asuras." 40.7

"You are supposed to tell me about merits or demerits or about dangers or tricks involved in this task only if I ask you to tell about it." 40.8

"If a king asks for it, then only the minister can talk with folded hands, though he is an intellectual or astute advisor." 40.9

"A king should be addressed in gentle words which pleases his heart, which are not unfavourable to him

and should be told to him with courtesy." 40.10

"Oh Mārīcha, A king does not feel happy even good words of advice, if they are told in an oppressive way as he deserves respect." 40.11

"Very powerful kings assume the five forms of Fire, Indra, moon, Varuṇa and Yama." 40.12

"Oh Rākṣasa, a great king like fire normally possesses heat, valour, commanding power, gentleness and grace and therefore a king should be respected under all circumstances." 40.13

"You who do not know Dharma but deluding yourself that you know it and you have talked with an evil mind cruel and harsh words to me, who has arrived as your guest." 40.14

"I did not ask you about the merits or demerits nor asked you about desirability or otherwise and Oh Rākṣasa with great valour, I only asked you this much." 40.15

"You have to assist me in this great task. Please hear my words about what you should do." 40.16

"You transform yourself to a rare deer of golden colour with silver spots and roam here and there in front of the hermitage of Rāma for attracting Vaidehī towards you and later you can go wherever you want." 40.17-40.18

"Seeing that deer of illusion Sītā would be greatly wonder struck and request Rāma to get that deer to her with haste." 40.19

"When the attention of the son of Kākutstha clan is diverted, after moving to a distance, imitating the voice of Rāma, you cry in a loud tone "Hey Sītā, Hey Lakṣmaṇa" 40.20

"Hearing that, as requested by Sītā, Lakṣmaṇa would follow scared and confused the same path of Rāma, out of love." 40.21

"When Kākutstha and Lakṣmaṇa are away from there, I would comfortably get the lady Sītā, like Indra got Sachi Devi." 40.22

"Oh Rākṣasa, after accomplishing this task, you can do wherever you want and Oh Mārīcha who does good penance, then I would give you half my kingdom." 40.23

"Oh gentle one, go in to that peaceful path and get engaged in accomplishing the task and I would accompany you in my Chariot to the Daṇḍaka forest." 40.24

"After deceiving Rāma and getting Sītā without any war, I would return back after accomplishing the task along with you." 40.25

"Oh Mārīcha, If you do not do this task, now itself I will kill you and this task then would be done by me using force, because a person who disobeys the king does not live with comfort." 40.26

“You may not live after facing Rāma in combat but if you oppose me your death by me is definite now and so think about intelligently and take a decision as to what is desirable under these circumstances." 40.27

This is the end of Fortieth Sarga of Āraṇya Kanda which occurs in Holy Rāmāyaṇa composed by Vālmīki as the First Epic.