Shloka 3.43.16

मायामृगदर्शनम् (The Vision of the Illusory Deer)

Devanagari script

समाप्तवनवासानां राज्यस्थानां च नः पुनः।अन्तःपुरविभूषार्थो मृग एष भविष्यति।।।।

Transliteration

samāptavanavāsānāṁ rājyasthānāṁ ca naḥ punaḥ | antaḥpuravibhūṣārtho mṛga eṣa bhaviṣyati ||

Translation

When our forest exile is completed and we are established again in the kingdom, this deer will serve to adorn the inner apartments as a prized marvel.

Context

After the completion of exile in the forest, when we are back in the kingdom, this deer will add beauty to the harem.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāma
• antaḥpura (inner apartments)

FAQs

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

It highlights how desire can project future pleasure and status, subtly challenging present dharma (the disciplined life of exile). The ethical lesson is vigilance: attractive objects can distract from one’s vowed path.

What is the narrative situation?

Seeing the extraordinary deer, Sītā imagines bringing it back after exile as a royal marvel to beautify the palace quarters.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s aesthetic sensitivity and longing for domestic prosperity are shown, alongside the implicit need for restraint within the duties of vanavāsa.