वरं रामान्न रावणात्

रामादपि च मर्त्तव्यं मर्त्तव्यं रावणादपि।

एताभ्यां यदि मर्त्तव्यं वरं रामान्न रावणात्॥

rāmādapi ca marttavyaṁ marttavyaṁ rāvaṇādapi|

etābhyāṁ yadi marttavyaṁ varaṁ rāmānna rāvaṇāt||

When Ravana threatens Mareecha that if does not assist the demon in stealing Sita, he could face dire consequences, the poor uncles introspects like this

If I a try to do some trick on Rama, I will fail and Rama would finish me off.

If I do not obey this wily demon Ravana, this fellow will kill me.

Anyway if death is going to be sure, is it not better to get killed by great Rama Himself?