Shloka 3.43.19

मायामृगदर्शनम् (The Vision of the Illusory Deer)

Devanagari script

निहतस्यास्य सत्त्वस्य जाम्बूनदमयत्वचि।शष्पबृस्यां विनीतायामिच्छाम्यहमुपासितुम्।।।।

Transliteration

nihatasyāsya sattvasya jāmbūnadamayatvaci | śaṣpabṛsyāṁ vinītāyām icchāmy aham upāsitum ||

Translation

If this creature is slain, then upon a cushion of tender grass, with its golden hide spread out, I would like to sit there.

Context

If this animal is killed and its golden skin is spread on a tender grass cushion, there will I like to sit.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāma
• jāmbūnada (gold)
• śaṣpa (tender grass)
• hide/skin

FAQs

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

It warns that indulgent imagination can intensify craving and justify wrongdoing. Dharma emphasizes inner discipline: do not let pleasure-visualization override compassion and prudent duty.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā describes the luxury she imagines from the deer’s golden hide, increasing Rāma’s pressure to act.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The episode foregrounds the need for viveka (discernment) as a virtue—especially when beauty and novelty entice.