Shloka 15
मारीचवधः — The Slaying of Maricha
Golden Deer Deception
शरीरं मृगरूपस्य विनिर्भिद्य शरोत्तमः।।।।मारीचस्यैव हृदयं बिभेदाशनिसन्निभः।
śarīraṃ mṛgarūpasya vinirbhidya śarottamaḥ | mārīcasyaiva hṛdayaṃ bibhēdāśanisannibhaḥ ||
La flèche sublime, pareille à la foudre, transperça le corps de celui qui avait pris forme de cerf et déchira le cœur même de Mārīca.
Powerful Rama, destroyer of foes, lifted in a rage his arrow blazing like the light of the Sun, strung it to his sturdy bow and drew it with all his force. He then aimed at the deer and released the shining arrow created by Brahma which went hissing like a serpent.
FAQs
Adharma rooted in deception culminates in inevitable consequence; dharma’s protective force ultimately pierces through false appearances, restoring truth (satya) to the situation.
Rāma’s arrow strikes true: the ‘deer’ is revealed as Mārīca, and the missile pierces his body and heart.
Rāma’s unfailing marksmanship and the effectiveness of righteous protection—though the larger plot impact (Sītā’s abduction) unfolds from this moment.