Shloka 3.44.8
मारीचवधः — The Slaying of Maricha (Golden Deer Deception)
मुहुर्तादेव ददृशे मुहुर्दूरात्प्रकाशते।।3.44.7।।दर्शनादर्शनादेवं सोऽपाकर्षत राघवम्।सुदूरमाश्रमस्यास्य मारीचो मृगतां गतः।।3.44.8।।
darśanādarśanād evaṁ so 'pākarṣata rāghavam |
sudūram āśramasyāsya mārīco mṛgatāṁ gataḥ ||3.44.8||
Thus, by appearing and vanishing again and again, Mārīca—having assumed the form of a deer—lured Rāghava (Rāma) far away from this hermitage.
Maricha, transformed into a deer, was seen now near, now faroff. He pulled Rama away from the hermitage through his exits and entrances.
It highlights adharma through deception: by manipulating perception, Mārīca disrupts right judgment and lures Rāma away from his duty of protecting the hermitage and Sītā.
The verse contrasts satya with māyā (illusion): Mārīca’s false appearance as a deer creates an untrue situation that drives the plot toward the abduction, showing how abandoning careful discernment can make one vulnerable to untruth.