Shloka 16

मायामृगप्रकरणम्

The Illusory Deer Episode: Ravana and Maricha at Rama’s Hermitage

Devanagari script

रक्तपद्मोत्पलमुख इन्द्रनीलोत्पलश्रवाः।किंचिदभ्युन्नतग्रीव इंद्रनीलदलाधरः।।3.42.16।।

Transliteration

raktapadmotpalamukha indranīlotpalaśravāḥ |

kiṃcid abhyunnatagrīva indranīladalādharaḥ ||3.42.16||

Translation

Sein Antlitz glich einem roten Lotus, seine Ohren blauen Lotussen; der Hals war leicht erhoben, und die Lippen waren wie Blätter des blauen Lotus.

Word by Word

• रक्तपद्मोत्पलमुखः: having a face like a red lotus
• रक्तपद्मोत्पलमुखः: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier of कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रक्त + पद्म + उत्पल + मुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिसमासः (one whose face is like red lotus/water-lily)

• इन्द्रनीलोत्पलश्रवाः: having ears like blue lotuses
• इन्द्रनीलोत्पलश्रवाः: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier of कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इन्द्रनील + उत्पल + श्रवस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिसमासः (one whose ears are like blue-lotus)

• किञ्चित्: slightly
• किञ्चित्: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: किञ्चित् (प्रातिपदिक/अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; परिमाण/अल्पत्ववाचक (adverb of degree)

• अभ्युन्नतग्रीवः: with a somewhat raised neck
• अभ्युन्नतग्रीवः: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier of कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभि + उद् + नत + ग्रीवा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिसमासः (one whose neck is raised)

• इन्द्रनीलदलाधरः: having lips like blue-lotus petals
• इन्द्रनीलदलाधरः: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier of कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इन्द्रनील + दल + अधर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिसमासः (one whose lips are like blue-lotus petals)

Context

The deer's face was like a pink lotus, his ears were like blue lotus. His neck slightly raised, his lips were like petals of blue lotus.

Characters & Entities

• Mārīca
• Mṛga (deer form)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

The verse supports the theme that beauty can be weaponized. Dharma emphasizes inner truth (satya) over external allure.

What is the narrative situation?

Further physical description intensifies the deer’s charm, explaining why it could successfully distract the hermitage-dwellers.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Mindful perception—seeing clearly without being carried away by appearances—is the implied virtue.