Shloka 29
मायामृगप्रकरणम्
The Illusory Deer Episode: Ravana and Maricha at Rama’s Hermitage
राक्षसस्सोऽपि तान्वन्यान्मृगान्मृगवधे रतः।।3.42.29।।प्रच्छादनार्थं भावस्य न भक्षयति संस्पृशन्।
rākṣasas so 'pi tān vanyān mṛgān mṛgavadhē rataḥ || 3.42.29 ||
pracchādanārthaṃ bhāvasya na bhakṣayati saṃspṛśan |
Auch jener Rākṣasa—obwohl er dem Töten wilder Hirsche zugetan war—berührte sie nur und fraß sie nicht, um seine wahre Absicht zu verbergen.
The demon who was interested in killing wild deer touched and felt them but did notkill or feed on them in order to hide his intention.
FAQs
Dharma is inseparable from satya and pure intention: outwardly ‘harmless’ behavior can still be adharma if done to conceal a harmful purpose.
To keep his disguise credible, Mārīca refrains from predatory behavior even though he is naturally violent.
Integrity (ārjava): the implied contrast—true virtue is consistent inside and out, unlike calculated restraint used to deceive.