Shloka 3.43.35
मायामृगदर्शनम् (The Vision of the Illusory Deer)
न कादली न प्रियकी न प्रवेणी न चाविकी।भवेदेतस्य सदृशी स्पर्शनेनेति मे मतिः।।।।
na kādalī na priyakī na praveṇī na cāvikī | bhaved etasya sadṛśī sparśaneneti me matiḥ ||
In my judgment, by mere touch no hide—neither of the kādalī, nor priyakī, nor the praveṇī, nor even sheep’s wool—can match this one.
The skins of various types of deer like Priyaki, Kadali or goats or sheep cannot be compared in softness to the skin of this deer.
Dharma teaching here is indirect: sensory attraction (softness, luxury) can cloud judgment. The Ramayana uses such moments to warn that fascination with pleasure must be governed by truth-seeking and caution.
Rama praises the deer’s hide as uniquely soft, comparing it favorably against known animal skins, reinforcing his desire to capture it.
Aesthetic sensitivity and care for Sītā’s comfort are shown, but the episode underscores that virtue must be balanced with विवेक (discriminative wisdom).