Shloka 3.43.38

मायामृगदर्शनम् (The Vision of the Illusory Deer)

Devanagari script

एतेन हि नृशंसेन मारीचेनाकृतात्मना।वने विचरता पूर्वं हिंसिता मुनिपुङ्गवाः।।।।

Transliteration

etena hi nṛśaṃsena mārīcenākṛtātmanā | vane vicaratā pūrvaṃ hiṃsitā munipuṅgavāḥ ||

Translation

For earlier, while roaming in this forest, that cruel Mārīca, wicked of soul, tormented the foremost of sages.

Context

The great sages were tortured and killed earlier by this cruel, evil-minded Maricha while wandering in the forest.

Characters & Entities

• Mārīca
• munipuṅgava (foremost sages)
• forest (Daṇḍaka context)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes protection of ascetics and the harmless (ahiṃsā-vrata practitioners). Those who violate truth and nonviolence by persecuting sages become legitimate targets of righteous restraint.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama recalls Mārīca’s past violence against sages, strengthening the moral justification for confronting him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Justice-oriented guardianship: Rama’s kingship-in-exile still expresses royal duty to shield sages from predation.