Shloka 3.44.17

मारीचवधः — The Slaying of Maricha (Golden Deer Deception)

Devanagari script

म्रियमाणस्तु मारीचो जहौ तां कृत्रिमां तनुम्।।।।स्मृत्वा तद्वचनं रक्षो दध्यौ केन तु लक्ष्मणम्।इह प्रस्थापयेत्सीता शून्ये तां रावणो हरेत्।।।।

Transliteration

tālamātram athōtplutya nyapatat saśarāturaḥ |

vinadan bhairavaṃ nādaṃ dharaṇyām alpajīvitaḥ ||

Translation

Then Mārīca, writhing in pain from the arrow, sprang up to the height of a palm tree; roaring a dreadful cry, he fell upon the earth with but little life remaining.

Context

Maricha gave up his false form of the deer and before breathing his last, remembered the words of Ravana. He thought over the means through which Sita could send Lakshmana to this spot so that Ravana would abduct her when she is alone.

Characters & Entities

• Mārīca

FAQs

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

Adharma’s instability: deception and harm culminate in collapse; wrongdoing may appear powerful, but its momentum ends in downfall.

What is the narrative situation?

After being hit by Rāma’s arrow, Mārīca convulses, leaps up, cries out, and falls to the ground near death.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s righteous efficacy is implied: his action is decisive and proportionate in confronting a threat born of deceit.