Having resolved upon his scheme, Ravana addressed Maricha, the steadfast rakshasa. “Having accomplished this task, O Rakshasa, you may go wherever you wish. O Maricha, I shall grant you half my kingdom,” he promised. “Go, gentle one, by a safe path, so our plan may succeed. I will follow you in my chariot into the Dandaka forest. Once you have deceived Raghava in battle and I have seized Sita, I will return to Lanka, my purpose fulfilled, and you shall come with me.” But then Ravana’s tone grew menacing. “If you do not do this, Maricha, I will surely slay you today. You must carry out this task for me, even by force. One who stands against the king never attains happiness. If you confront him, your life will be in danger; death is certain today if you oppose me. Consider this well with your intellect, and do what is proper in this matter.” Thus ends the fortieth sarga of the Aranyakanda in the glorious Valmiki Ramayana. Thus commanded by Ravana, and seeing the king’s disregard for the righteous path, Maricha, without fear, spoke harsh words to the lord of the rakshasas. “Who has advised you towards this destruction, O night-wanderer, for yourself, your sons, your kingdom, and your ministers, you of evil deeds? Who, O king, being happy, would not welcome you, O doer of evil? By whose counsel has this gateway to death been pointed out to you? “It is clear, O night-wanderer, that your enemies, being weak, wish to see you destroyed by one more powerful. Who has given you this advice—someone base and of evil mind, wishing you to perish by your own hand? Indeed, those ministers of yours, O Ravana, who do not restrain you when you stray from the right path, deserve punishment, yet are not punished. “A king who, driven by desire, walks the wrong path must be restrained by virtuous ministers in every way; but you are not being restrained. O best of conquerors, ministers attain righteousness, wealth, desire, and fame through their lord’s favor. But when the opposite occurs, O Ravana, all that is lost; others suffer because of the faults of their lord. “The root of righteousness and fame is the king, O best of conquerors; therefore, kings must be protected in all circumstances. A kingdom cannot be governed by one who is harsh, nor by one excessively antagonistic or lacking in courtesy, O demon. Ministers who offer harsh counsel together with such a ruler are quickly ruined in difficult times, like chariots with slow drivers. “Many virtuous people have perished along with their possessions due to the faults of others. When subjects are ruled by a master who is hostile and harsh, O Ravana, they do not prosper, just as sheep do not thrive under the care of a jackal. All the demons will certainly perish, O Ravana, whose king is cruel, foolish, and unable to control his senses. “This dreadful fate has come upon me by chance, and soon you will be mourned; you and your army will perish. After killing me, Rama will soon slay you; by this, my purpose is fulfilled, and I die, struck down by an enemy. Consider me already slain merely by Rama’s sight; know yourself destroyed as well, having abducted Sita along with her kin. “If you bring Sita from the hermitage together with me, neither you nor I, nor Lanka nor the rakshasas, will survive. Though I, your well-wisher, try to restrain you, you do not accept my words. Men whose lives are ended, like the dead, do not heed the advice of friends.” Thus ends the forty-first sarga of the Aranyakanda in the glorious Valmiki Ramayana. Having spoken harshly, Maricha then said to Ravana, “Let us go,” sorrowful and fearful of the lord of the rakshasas. “Once again, I have been seen by him who bears bow, arrows, and sword, whose weapon is raised to kill me; my life is already forfeit. No one who confronts Rama returns alive; he is like the punishment of Yama for you. What can I possibly do, with you being so wicked? I depart now, O night-wanderer; may you fare well.” Hearing these words, the demon Ravana became delighted. Embracing Maricha tightly, he said, “Now you possess true courage, acting according to my wishes. Now you are Maricha, whereas before you were another demon. Mount this swift, bird-like chariot adorned with jewels; together with me, it is yoked with donkeys of ghastly faces. After you entice Vaidehi, you may depart as you wish. In that deserted place, I will forcibly seize Sita, princess of Mithila.” Agreeing thus, Maricha, son of Tataka, spoke to Ravana. Then Maricha and Ravana, boarding the chariot like a flying palace, set forth. Mounting it, they swiftly departed from the circle of hermitages, observing cities and forests along the way. They saw mountains, rivers, realms, and towns, and at last arrived at the Dandaka forest, then drew near to Raghava’s hermitage. There, together with Maricha, Ravana, lord of the rakshasas, saw the hermitage. Dismounting from the golden-adorned chariot, Ravana took Maricha by the hand and said, “This is Rama’s hermitage, surrounded by banana trees.