Shloka 3.36.18

मारीचप्रलोभनम् / Ravana Solicits Maricha’s Aid (Golden Deer Stratagem)

Devanagari script

सौवर्णस्त्वं मृगो भूत्वा चित्रो रजतबिन्दुभिः।आश्रमे तस्य रामस्य सीतायाः प्रमुखे चर।।।।

Transliteration

sauvarṇas tvaṃ mṛgo bhūtvā citro rajatabindubhiḥ |

āśrame tasya rāmasya sītāyāḥ pramukhe cara ||

Translation

Become a wondrous deer—golden and dappled with silver spots—and roam before Sītā in Rāma’s hermitage.

Context

Be a wonderful golden deer dappled with silver dots and roam in front of Sita in Rama's hermitage.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sītā
• Mārīca
• āśrama (hermitage)

FAQs

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

The verse illustrates adharma through deliberate deception: using a false appearance to disturb a righteous household. Dharma is upheld by truthfulness and non-harm; this plan violates both.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa instructs Mārīca to assume the form of a dazzling golden deer so that Sītā will be drawn to it near Rāma’s forest dwelling.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast (through its violation), the virtue of satya (truth) is emphasized: the plot depends on falsehood, highlighting why truth is central to dharmic conduct.