Shloka 17
मायामृगप्रकरणम्
The Illusory Deer Episode: Ravana and Maricha at Rama’s Hermitage
कुन्देन्दुवज्रसङ्काशमुदरं चास्य भास्वरम्।मधूकनिभपार्श्वश्च पद्मकिञ्जल्कसन्निभः।।3.42.17।।वैडूर्यसङ्काशखुरस्तनुजङ्घस्सुसंहतः।
kundenduvajrasaṅkāśam udaraṃ cāsya bhāsvaram |
madhūkanibhapārśvaś ca padmakiñjalkasannibhaḥ ||3.42.17||
vaiḍūryasaṅkāśakhuras tanujaṅghaḥ susaṅhataḥ |
Its radiant belly shone like the kunda flower, the moon, and a diamond; its flanks were like madhūka blossoms, like lotus-filaments. Its hooves were like vaidūrya, its legs slender, and its body well-proportioned.
His bright belly was shining like kunda flowers or the Moon or diamond. His flanks were like the golden madhuka flowers. comparable to the filaments of lotus. His hooves were like vaidurya, and his legs were slim and will-shaped.
FAQs
It reinforces the ethical warning: sensory brilliance can mask danger. Dharma-based living values truth and prudence over glittering attraction.
The poem elaborates the deer’s supernatural beauty, built from floral and gem comparisons, to show how compelling the lure was.
Prudence (apramāda) is the implied virtue—carefulness in judging what appears extraordinary.