Shloka 3.43.18
मायामृगदर्शनम् (The Vision of the Illusory Deer)
जीवन्न यदि तेऽभ्येति ग्रहणं मृगसत्तमः।अजिनं नरशार्दूल रुचिरं मे भविष्यति।।।।
jīvan na yadi te 'bhyeti grahaṇaṁ mṛgasattamaḥ | ajinaṁ naraśārdūla ruciraṁ me bhaviṣyati ||
O tiger among men, if this finest of deer cannot be captured alive by you, then its lovely hide will become mine.
O best among men, if this great deer cannot be captured alive, I will wear its beautiful skin.
The verse frames a desire that can lead to harm. Dharma teaching: even seemingly small wishes can normalize violence or risk, and one should weigh consequences over impulse.
Sītā escalates her request: if the deer cannot be taken alive, she wants its skin.
Rāma is addressed as capable and heroic; the implied virtue is strength under restraint—though the situation tests that restraint.