Shloka 3.57.23

मारीचवधोत्तरं रामस्य शङ्का-निमित्त-दर्शनं लक्ष्मण-निग्रहश्च (After Maricha’s Slaying: Omens, Anxiety, and Rama’s Rebuke of Lakshmana)

Devanagari script

इदं हि रक्षो मृगसन्निकाशं प्रलोभ्य मां दूरमनुप्रयान्तम्।हतं कथञ्चिन्महता श्रमेण स राक्षसोऽभून्म्रियमाण एव।।।।

Transliteration

idaṃ hi rakṣo mṛgasannikāśaṃ pralobhya māṃ dūram anuprayāntam |

hataṃ kathañcin mahatā śrameṇa sa rākṣaso ’bhūn mriyamāṇa eva ||

Translation

For this rākṣasa, disguised like a deer, lured me far away and drew me after him. Only with great exertion did I manage to kill him—and even as he died, he revealed his demonic form.

Context

Appearing in the guise of a deer, this demon allured me to a great distance. With much effort he was somehow killed. but he assumed his demoniac form while dying.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Lakshmana
• Rakshasa (Maricha implied, deer-disguise)

FAQs

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

Dharma warns against deception and distraction: evil often succeeds by drawing protectors away from their duty-post.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma explains how the deer-form demon lured him far from the hermitage, creating the opening for Sītā’s peril.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Courage and perseverance—Rāma fights and kills the demon despite great fatigue.