Shloka 3.43.6
मायामृगदर्शनम् (The Vision of the Illusory Deer)
अस्य मायाविदो मायामृगरूपमिदं कृतम्।भानुमत्पुरुषव्याघ्र गन्धर्वपुरसन्निभम्।।।।
asya māyāvido māyāmṛgarūpam idaṃ kṛtam | bhānumat puruṣavyāghra gandharvapurasannibham ||
O tiger among men, this is the illusory deer-form fashioned by the magic of that master of deception—radiant in appearance, like a Gandharva-city, a marvelous spectacle without true substance.
O tiger among men, this deceitful demon (Maricha) has been transformed into the illusory form of a radiant deer which does not exist.
Satya (truth) is opposed to māyā (deception): dharma warns that dazzling appearances can be unreal and morally dangerous when used to mislead.
The speaker explains that the ‘deer’ is an artificial illusion—an instrument of deception meant to lure and distract.
Discernment (viveka): the ability to see through attractive but insubstantial appearances is implied as a needed virtue.