Shloka 3.40.18
मारीचोपदेश-प्रतिषेधः / Ravana Rejects Maricha’s Counsel and Orders the Golden Deer Deception
सौवर्णस्त्वं मृगो भूत्वा चित्रो रजतबिन्दुभिः।आश्रमे तस्य रामस्य सीतायाः प्रमुखे चर।प्रलोभयित्वा वैदेहीं यथेष्टं गन्तुमर्हसि।।3.40.18।।
sauvarṇas tvaṃ mṛgo bhūtvā citro rajatabindubhiḥ | āśrame tasya rāmasya sītāyāḥ pramukhe cara | pralobhayitvā vaidehīṃ yathā-iṣṭaṃ gantum arhasi || 3.40.18 ||
Become a splendid golden deer, mottled with silver spots, and roam before Sītā in Rāma’s hermitage. Having enticed Vaidehī, you may then go wherever you wish.
Transform yourself into a wonderful golden deer with silver spots and move about in front of Sita at the hermitage of Rama. After fascinating her, you may go whereever you desire.
The verse illustrates adharma through deliberate deception: using illusion and temptation to manipulate an innocent person violates truth (satya) and rightful conduct (dharma).
Rāvaṇa instructs Mārīca to take the form of a dazzling deer and lure Sītā’s attention at Rāma’s forest hermitage.
By contrast (through its negation), the virtue of satya (truthfulness) is highlighted—Rāvaṇa’s plan depends on false appearance and unethical persuasion.