Shloka 3.40.17
मारीचोपदेश-प्रतिषेधः / Ravana Rejects Maricha’s Counsel and Orders the Golden Deer Deception
सौवर्णस्त्वं मृगो भूत्वा चित्रो रजतबिन्दुभिः । आश्रमे तस्य रामस्य सीतायाः प्रमुखे चर ।।3.40.17 ।।
sauvarṇas tvaṃ mṛgo bhūtvā citro rajatabindubhiḥ |
āśrame tasya rāmasya sītāyāḥ pramukhe cara ||
Become a golden deer, dazzling with silver spots, and roam before Sītā near Rāma’s hermitage.
Missing
Deception used to harm the innocent is adharma; dharma demands honesty and protection of others, not manipulation to exploit desire or curiosity.
Rāvaṇa lays out the key tactic of the abduction plot: Mārīca must take the form of the golden deer to lure Sītā’s attention and draw Rāma away.
The verse highlights the opposite of virtue—cunning deceit—thereby underscoring why dharmic characters must be vigilant and truthful.