Shloka 3.44.14
मारीचवधः — The Slaying of Maricha (Golden Deer Deception)
भूयस्तु शरमुद्धृत्य कुपितस्तत्र राघवः।सूर्यरश्मिप्रतीकाशं ज्वलन्तमरिमर्दनः।।3.44.13।।सन्धाय सुदृढे चापे विकृष्य बलवद्बली।तमेव मृगमुद्दिश्य श्वसन्तमिव पन्नगम्।।3.44.14।।मुमोच ज्वलितं दीप्तमस्त्रं ब्रह्मविनिर्मितम्।
śarīraṃ mṛgarūpasya vinirbhidya śarottamaḥ | mārīcasyaiva hṛdayaṃ bibhēdāśanisannibhaḥ ||
The excellent arrow, like a thunderbolt, pierced the body of the one in deer-form and tore through Mārīca’s very heart.
Powerful Rama, destroyer of foes, lifted in a rage his arrow blazing like the light of the Sun, strung it to his sturdy bow and drew it with all his force. He then aimed at the deer and released the shining arrow created by Brahma which went hissing like a serpent.
Adharma rooted in deception culminates in inevitable consequence; dharma’s protective force ultimately pierces through false appearances, restoring truth (satya) to the situation.
Rāma’s arrow strikes true: the ‘deer’ is revealed as Mārīca, and the missile pierces his body and heart.
Rāma’s unfailing marksmanship and the effectiveness of righteous protection—though the larger plot impact (Sītā’s abduction) unfolds from this moment.