Shloka 3.43.3
मायामृगदर्शनम् (The Vision of the Illusory Deer)
तयाऽऽहूतौ नरव्याघ्रौ वैदेह्या रामलक्ष्मणौ।वीक्षमाणौ तु तौ देशं तदा ददृशतुर्मृगम्।।।।
kasya rūpam idaṃ dṛṣṭvā jāmbūnada-maya-prabham |
nānāratnamayaṃ divyaṃ na mano vismayaṃ vrajet || 3.43.29 ||
On seeing this divine form—shining like refined gold and studded with many kinds of gems—whose mind would not be struck with wonder?
When Sita called Rama and Lakshmana, the two tigers among men, they looked around and saw the deer.
Wonder should not displace truth. Dharma requires that even divine-looking appearances be tested against reality, so that one’s actions remain aligned with satya.
Rāma continues the poetic depiction of the deer’s brilliance, reinforcing why it appears beyond ordinary nature.
Measured judgment in the presence of awe—holding the mind steady when confronted by dazzling impressions.