Shloka 20
मायामृगदर्शनम्
The Vision of the Illusory Deer
कामवृत्तमिदं रौद्रं स्त्रीणामसदृशं मतम्।वपुषा त्वस्य सत्त्वस्य विस्मयो जनितो मम।।।।
kāmavṛttam idaṁ raudraṁ strīṇām asadṛśaṁ matam | vapuṣā tv asya sattvasya vismayo janito mama ||
Keinginan yang lahir dari nafsu ini mungkin tampak keras dan tidak pantas bagi seorang perempuan; namun keelokan wujud makhluk itu sungguh membangkitkan kekaguman dalam diriku.
Sita while plucking flowers Sita who had fine hips, flawless beautiful limbs and pure golden complexion felt delighted to see the deer with gold and silver colours on both sides of his body. She called out to Rama and Lakshmana who were equipped with arms.
FAQs
A key dharmic moment: Sītā recognizes the impropriety of desire-driven demands. The lesson is that moral awareness should lead to restraint, not merely confession.
Sītā admits her request may be unbecoming, but explains it is driven by the deer’s extraordinary beauty.
Honest self-reflection (ātma-parīkṣā) is emphasized—she names her motive as desire.