Shloka 3.44.12

मारीचवधः — The Slaying of Maricha (Golden Deer Deception)

Devanagari script

पुनरेव ततो दूराद्वृक्षषण्डाद्विनिस्सृतम्।दृष्ट्वा रामो महातेजास्तं हन्तुं कृतनिश्चयः।।।।

Transliteration

punar eva tato dūrād vṛkṣaṣaṇḍād vinissṛtam | dṛṣṭvā rāmo mahātejās taṃ hantuṃ kṛtaniścayaḥ ||

Translation

Then again, from far off, Rāma the radiant saw it emerge from a thicket of trees—and he resolved to kill it.

Context

Resplendent Rama saw the deer coming out of a cluster of trees at a distance and determined to kill him.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• vṛkṣaṣaṇḍa (thicket/cluster of trees)
• Mārīca (as deer; implied)

FAQs

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

Dharma often requires firm decision once a course is judged necessary; yet the episode also warns that decisions should be grounded in truth, not in an illusion’s provocation.

What is the narrative situation?

The deer reappears at a distance; Rāma, now intent on ending the chase, decides to kill it.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s decisiveness and protective readiness—he chooses a conclusive action rather than prolonged pursuit.