Shloka 3.43.21
मायामृगदर्शनम् (The Vision of the Illusory Deer)
तेन काञ्चनवर्णेन मणिप्रवरशृङ्गिणा।तरुणादित्यवर्णेन नक्षत्रपथवर्चसा।।।।बभूव राघवस्यापि मनो विस्मयमागतम्।
evaṁ sītāvacaḥ śrutvā taṁ dṛṣṭvā mṛgam adbhutam | lobhitas tena rūpeṇa sītayā ca pracoditaḥ | uvāca rāghavo hṛṣṭo bhrātaraṁ lakṣmaṇaṁ vacaḥ ||
Thus, hearing Sītā’s words and seeing that wondrous deer, Rāghava—tempted by its appearance and urged on by Sītā—spoke joyfully to his brother Lakṣmaṇa.
By his golden colour resembling the rising Sun, by his horns with excellent gems shining like the milkyway, even Rama's mind was wonder-struck.
It cautions that external beauty and loved ones’ urging can sway judgment. Dharma demands that leaders act from discernment rather than from temptation or emotional prompting.
A narrative pivot: Rāma, influenced by Sītā and the deer’s appearance, begins instructing Lakṣmaṇa—leading toward the separation central to the abduction plot.
Fraternal coordination and responsibility: Rāma turns to Lakṣmaṇa, indicating reliance on duty-bound support in crisis.