Shloka 14
मायामृगप्रकरणम्
The Illusory Deer Episode: Ravana and Maricha at Rama’s Hermitage
स रावणवचश्श्रुत्वा मारीचो राक्षसस्तदा।मृगो भूत्वाऽश्रमद्वारि रामस्य विचचार ह।।3.42.14।।
sa rāvaṇavacaḥ śrutvā mārīco rākṣasas tadā |
mṛgo bhūtvāśramadvāri rāmasya vicacāra ha ||3.42.14||
രാവണന്റെ വചനങ്ങൾ ശ്രവിച്ച ആ വേളയിൽ രാക്ഷസനായ മാരീചൻ മൃഗരൂപം ധരിച്ചു, ശ്രീരാമന്റെ ആശ്രമദ്വാരത്തിൽ ചുറ്റി നടന്നു.
Hearing Ravana's words, Maricha transformed himself into a deer and started moving at the entrance of Rama's hermitage.
FAQs
The verse illustrates adharma through disguise and entrapment: using appearance to mislead others violates satya (truthfulness) and harms the innocent.
Mārīca transforms into a deer and positions himself at the hermitage entrance to lure Rāma (and especially Sītā) into pursuit.
Rāma’s protective role is indirectly invoked: the deception is designed to draw him away, underscoring how dharmic guardianship is tested by crafted illusions.