Maricha, the wise Rakshasa, spoke earnestly to Ravana, warning him of the calamity he would bring upon the Rakshasas—those skilled in games, pleasures, and festivities, who delighted in assemblies and celebrations. He foretold that Ravana would witness the city of Lanka, teeming with mansions and palaces adorned with countless jewels, destroyed for the sake of Maithili, Sita. Maricha explained that even the innocent and pure, who commit no sins, perish when associated with the wicked—just as fish die in a pool infested with serpents. He described how Ravana would see the demons, adorned with divine sandalwood and celestial ornaments, struck down upon the earth because of Ravana’s own actions. The night-wandering Rakshasas would be scattered; their wives seized, some fleeing in all directions, while the survivors would be left helpless and without refuge. He warned Ravana that he would surely see Lanka surrounded by volleys of arrows, enveloped in flames, its grand buildings burned. Maricha reminded Ravana that there is no greater sin than violating another’s wife, especially when he already possessed thousands of women. He urged Ravana to remain devoted to his own wife, to protect his lineage and the Rakshasas, and to preserve his honor, prosperity, kingdom, and cherished life. If Ravana wished to enjoy his gentle wives and circle of friends for a long time, Maricha advised him not to do anything displeasing to Rama. He cautioned that if, despite these earnest warnings, Ravana forcibly violated Sita, he would be slain by Rama’s arrows and would go, with his kin and diminished strength, to the abode of Yama. Maricha then began to recount his own story, explaining how he had once been released by Rama in battle. He described how, unwearied, he was attacked by two demons, and together with them, in the form of deer, he entered the Dandaka forest. With blazing tongue, great fangs, sharp horns, and immense strength, Maricha roamed the forest as a mighty beast, eating flesh. He wandered through sacrificial altars, holy places, and sacred trees, harassing ascetics and slaying the righteous sages, drinking their blood and devouring their flesh. Intoxicated with blood, he terrified the dwellers of the forest. Eventually, Maricha encountered Rama, the ascetic devoted to dharma, as well as Vaidehi, the noble lady, and Lakshmana, the great charioteer. Disregarding Rama, whom he thought to be merely an ascetic, Maricha, recalling his former enmity, approached him in the form of a deer with sharp horns, rushing at him in anger, intent on killing him. Rama, drawing his great bow, released three sharp arrows, swift as Garuda and the wind, resembling thunderbolts and thirsting for blood. Maricha, knowing Rama’s valor and remembering past danger, escaped; but the other two Rakshasas were slain. Freed by Rama’s arrow and somehow preserving his life, Maricha wandered, now settled as an ascetic, composed in mind. On every tree he saw Rama, clad in bark and black deer skin, holding his bow, like Death with a noose in hand. Even thousands of Ramas appeared to him, and the whole forest seemed transformed into Rama. He saw Rama everywhere—even in solitude—and, having seen Rama in a dream, wandered bewildered and senseless. Names beginning with ‘Ra’, gems, and chariots all caused him fear, for he was terrified by Rama. Maricha acknowledged Rama’s power, warning Ravana that battle with him was not suitable. The descendant of Raghu could slay even mighty beings such as Bali or Namuci. He advised Ravana either to fight Rama or to show patience, but said Ravana need not speak of Rama if he wished to see Maricha. Maricha observed that many virtuous people in the world, devoted to righteousness, had perished along with their possessions because of others’ offenses. He feared that, by Ravana’s offense, he too might perish, and declared he would not follow Ravana. Maricha described Rama as possessing great splendor, courage, and strength—capable even of destroying the world of Rakshasas. He pointed out that if Khara, driven by Shurpanakha, went to Janasthana, acted violently, and was slain by Rama, whose deeds are effortless, then what fault could be found in Rama? Maricha pleaded that if Ravana did not accept these words, spoken for his welfare and that of his kin, then Ravana and his relatives would lose their lives in battle, slain by Rama’s straight-flying arrows. Despite Maricha’s proper and fitting words, Ravana refused to accept them, like one wishing for death rejects medicine. Driven by fate, the lord of Rakshasas spoke harsh and unfitting words to Maricha, who had advised what was wholesome and beneficial. Ravana declared that Maricha’s speech was unfit and meaningless, coming from one of ignoble lineage, and utterly fruitless—like a seed sown in barren ground.