Shloka 3
मारीचवधः — The Slaying of Maricha
Golden Deer Deception
तं वञ्चयानो राजेन्द्रमापतन्तं निरीक्ष्यवै।बभूवान्तर्हितस्त्रासात्पुनस्सन्दर्शनेऽभवत्।।च।।बद्धासिर्धनुरादाय प्रदुद्राव यतो मृगः।
taṃ vañcayāno rājendram āpatantaṃ nirīkṣya vai |
babhūvāntarhitas trāsāt punaḥ sandarśane ’bhavat ||
baddhāsir dhanur ādāya pradudrāva yato mṛgaḥ ||
Engañando al regio Rāma, el ciervo lo vio lanzarse hacia él; por miedo desapareció de la vista y luego volvió a mostrarse. Con la espada ceñida y el arco en la mano, Rāma corrió tras él adondequiera que el ciervo huyó.
This demon Maricha screamed aloud saying, 'Alas, Sita, Alas, Lakshmana'. He is now dead. How would Sita react to this voice? What would be the condition of Lakshmana? While righteous Rama reflected on this, his hair stood on end.
FAQs
The verse contrasts dharma with adharma: Rāma acts with straightforward resolve, while the rākṣasa uses deceit. It warns that deception (māyā) can divert even the righteous if vigilance is relaxed.
Mārīca, disguised as a deer, repeatedly vanishes and reappears to lure Rāma away; Rāma pursues with weapons ready.
Rāma’s courage and determination in protecting his household, even as he is tested by a deceptive stratagem.