मायामृगदर्शनम्
The Vision of the Illusory Deer
अस्य मायाविदो मायामृगरूपमिदं कृतम्।भानुमत्पुरुषव्याघ्र गन्धर्वपुरसन्निभम्।।।।
asya māyāvido māyāmṛgarūpam idaṃ kṛtam | bhānumat puruṣavyāghra gandharvapurasannibham ||
人中の虎よ、これはあの幻術に通じた欺きの達人が作り出した、幻の鹿の姿である。見た目は輝き、ガンダルヴァの都のように、華やかでありながら実体のないものだ。
O tiger among men, this deceitful demon (Maricha) has been transformed into the illusory form of a radiant deer which does not exist.
Satya (truth) is opposed to māyā (deception): dharma warns that dazzling appearances can be unreal and morally dangerous when used to mislead.
The speaker explains that the ‘deer’ is an artificial illusion—an instrument of deception meant to lure and distract.
Discernment (viveka): the ability to see through attractive but insubstantial appearances is implied as a needed virtue.