Shloka 3.43.14

मायामृगदर्शनम् (The Vision of the Illusory Deer)

Devanagari script

अहो रूपमहो लक्ष्मीस्स्वरसम्पच्च शोभना।मृगोऽद्भुतो विचित्राङ्गो हृदयं हरतीव मे।।।।

Transliteration

aho rūpam aho lakṣmīḥ svara-sampac ca śobhanā |

mṛgo 'dbhuto vicitrāṅgo hṛdayaṃ haratīva me ||

Translation

Ah, what a form! Ah, what beauty—and what a delightful richness of voice! This marvelous deer, with its wondrous limbs, seems to steal away my heart.

Context

Oh what a beauty, Oh what rich call ! what delightful, wonderful, graceful limbs ! This deer captivates my heart.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāma
• wondrous deer (mṛga)

FAQs

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

The verse demonstrates how attachment can arise suddenly through the senses. Dharma emphasizes mastery over impulse so that desire does not override safety, duty, and discernment.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā openly expresses enchantment with the deer’s beauty and call, emotionally motivating the request that Rāma pursue it.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The scene implicitly calls for the virtue of self-restraint (dama): the capacity to admire without being compelled.