Shloka 3.43.4

मायामृगदर्शनम् (The Vision of the Illusory Deer)

Devanagari script

शङ्कमानस्तु तं दृष्ट्वा लक्ष्मणो राममब्रवीत्।तमेवैनमहं मन्ये मारीचं राक्षसं मृगम्।।।।

Transliteration

śaṅkamānas tu taṃ dṛṣṭvā lakṣmaṇo rāmam abravīt | tam evainam ahaṃ manye mārīcaṃ rākṣasaṃ mṛgam ||

Translation

Seeing it and growing suspicious, Lakṣmaṇa said to Rāma: “I believe this very deer is none other than the rākṣasa Mārīca.”

Context

Seeing the deer, Lakshmana suspected him to be Maricha and said this to Rama.

Characters & Entities

• Lakṣmaṇa
• Rāma
• Mārīca
• rākṣasa
• deer

FAQs

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

Satya-guided prudence: Dharma includes speaking timely truth to prevent harm. Lakṣmaṇa models responsible counsel—warning a leader when danger is disguised as beauty.

What is the narrative situation?

At the sight of the extraordinary deer, Lakṣmaṇa suspects deception and identifies it as Mārīca in disguise.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vigilance and loyal counsel: Lakṣmaṇa prioritizes safety and truth over fascination with appearances.