Shloka 6.31.6

मायाशिरोप्रदर्शनम् (The Display of the Illusory Head of Rāma)

Devanagari script

ततोराक्षसमाहूयविद्युज्जिह्वंमहाबलम् ।मायाविदंमहामायःप्राविशद्यत्रमैथिली ।।।।

Transliteration

evam uktaṃ tu tad rakṣaḥ śiras tat priyadarśanam |

upanikṣipya sītāyāḥ kṣipram antaradhīyata ||

Translation

Having spoken thus, that rākṣasa swiftly set the pleasing-to-behold head beside Sītā and at once vanished from sight.

Context

Then Ravana of extraordinary skills sent for Vidyujihvam, a learned one in conjuring tricks and went from there to Mythili.

Characters & Entities

• rākṣasa (agent of Rāvaṇa)
• Sītā
• illusory head (of Rāma implied)

FAQs

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

The verse dramatizes the violence of falsehood: deception aims to destroy hope and moral resolve. Dharma stands with truth; adharma uses illusion to manipulate emotions.

What is the narrative situation?

The conspirator completes the staged evidence by placing the (illusory) head near Sītā and then disappears.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s steadfast love and commitment are the target; the plot’s very design presumes her loyalty to Rāma.