Shloka 17
मायामृगप्रकरणम्
The Illusory Deer Episode: Ravana and Maricha at Rama’s Hermitage
कुन्देन्दुवज्रसङ्काशमुदरं चास्य भास्वरम्।मधूकनिभपार्श्वश्च पद्मकिञ्जल्कसन्निभः।।3.42.17।।वैडूर्यसङ्काशखुरस्तनुजङ्घस्सुसंहतः।
kundenduvajrasaṅkāśam udaraṃ cāsya bhāsvaram |
madhūkanibhapārśvaś ca padmakiñjalkasannibhaḥ ||3.42.17||
vaiḍūryasaṅkāśakhuras tanujaṅghaḥ susaṅhataḥ |
Sein strahlender Bauch leuchtete wie die Kunda-Blüte, der Mond und ein Diamant; seine Flanken glichen Madhūka-Blüten, wie Lotusfäden. Seine Hufe waren wie Vaidūrya, die Beine schlank, der Leib wohlgefügt und fest.
His bright belly was shining like kunda flowers or the Moon or diamond. His flanks were like the golden madhuka flowers. comparable to the filaments of lotus. His hooves were like vaidurya, and his legs were slim and will-shaped.
FAQs
It reinforces the ethical warning: sensory brilliance can mask danger. Dharma-based living values truth and prudence over glittering attraction.
The poem elaborates the deer’s supernatural beauty, built from floral and gem comparisons, to show how compelling the lure was.
Prudence (apramāda) is the implied virtue—carefulness in judging what appears extraordinary.