Shloka 20
मारीचवधः — The Slaying of Maricha
Golden Deer Deception
तेन मर्मणि निर्विद्धं शरेणानुपमेन हि।मृगरूपं तु तत्त्यक्त्वा राक्षसं रूपमास्थितः।।।।चक्रे स सुमहाकायं मारीचो जीवितं त्यजन्।
tena marmaṇi nirviddhaṃ śareṇānupamena hi |
mṛgarūpaṃ tu tat tyaktvā rākṣasaṃ rūpam āsthitaḥ ||
cakre sa sumahākāyaṃ mārīco jīvitaṃ tyajan ||
その比類なき矢によって急所を射抜かれ、マーリーチャは鹿の姿を捨ててラークシャサ（羅刹）の姿に戻り、命を落としながらその巨大な体を現した。
A man of indomitable prowess, he took the bow with three curves that was like an ornament to him, tied two quivers at the back and left.
FAQs
Truth surfaces when deception collapses: the concealed identity is forced into revelation, underscoring that adharma depends on disguise but cannot sustain it indefinitely.
Mārīca, mortally wounded, drops the illusory deer-body and appears in his true demonic form as he nears death.
Rāma’s steadfastness in confronting falsehood: the ‘matchless arrow’ symbolizes decisive action aligned with protection and righteousness.