Shloka 22
मायामृगदर्शनम्
The Vision of the Illusory Deer
एवं सीतावचः श्रुत्वा तं दृष्ट्वा मृगमद्भुतम्।।।।लोभितस्तेन रूपेण सीतया च प्रचोदितः।उवाच राघवो हृष्टो भ्रातरं लक्ष्मणं वचः।।।।
evaṁ sītāvacaḥ śrutvā taṁ dṛṣṭvā mṛgam adbhutam | lobhitas tena rūpeṇa sītayā ca pracoditaḥ | uvāca rāghavo hṛṣṭo bhrātaraṁ lakṣmaṇaṁ vacaḥ ||
So sprach Rāghava, nachdem er Sītās Worte vernommen und den wunderbaren Hirsch erblickt hatte—vom Anblick verlockt und von Sītā angetrieben—freudig zu seinem Bruder Lakṣmaṇa.
By his golden colour resembling the rising Sun, by his horns with excellent gems shining like the milkyway, even Rama's mind was wonder-struck.
FAQs
It cautions that external beauty and loved ones’ urging can sway judgment. Dharma demands that leaders act from discernment rather than from temptation or emotional prompting.
A narrative pivot: Rāma, influenced by Sītā and the deer’s appearance, begins instructing Lakṣmaṇa—leading toward the separation central to the abduction plot.
Fraternal coordination and responsibility: Rāma turns to Lakṣmaṇa, indicating reliance on duty-bound support in crisis.