Shloka 18

मायामृगप्रकरणम्

The Illusory Deer Episode: Ravana and Maricha at Rama’s Hermitage

Devanagari script

इन्द्रायुधसवर्णेन पुच्छेनोर्ध्वं विराजता।।3.42.18।।मनोहरस्स्निग्धवर्णो रत्नैर्नानाविधैर्वृतः।

Transliteration

indrāyudhasavarṇena pucchenordhvaṃ virājatā ||3.42.18||

manoharaḥ snigdhavarṇo ratnair nānāvidhair vṛtaḥ |

Translation

ഇന്ദ്രധനുസ്സിനേപ്പോലെ വർണവൈവിധ്യമുള്ള മേലോട്ടുയർന്ന വാലോടെ അത് ദീപ്തിയായി വിരാജിച്ചു; മനോഹരവും സ്നിഗ്ധവർണവുമായിരുന്നു; നാനാവിധ രത്നങ്ങളാൽ പൊതിഞ്ഞതുമായിരുന്നു.

Word by Word

• इन्द्रायुधसवर्णेन: with rainbow-like color
• इन्द्रायुधसवर्णेन: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इन्द्रायुध + सवर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसक/पुं (instrumental agrees with पुच्छेन), तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (rainbow-colored)

• पुच्छेन: with (its) tail
• पुच्छेन: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुच्छ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन

• ऊर्ध्वम्: upwards
• ऊर्ध्वम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ऊर्ध्व (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययवत्)
• Form: अव्यय; दिशावाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of direction)

• विराजता: shone / was resplendent
• विराजता: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + राज् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present/लट्), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; वर्तमानकाले (was shining/stands shining)

• मनोहरः: charming
• मनोहरः: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier of कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मनोहर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• स्निग्धवर्णः: glossy-colored
• स्निग्धवर्णः: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier of कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्निग्ध + वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (one having glossy color)

• रत्नैः: with gems
• रत्नैः: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रत्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• नानाविधैः: various
• नानाविधैः: विशेषण (Qualifier of रत्नैः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नाना + विध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः (of various kinds)

• वृतः: adorned, covered
• वृतः: विशेषण (Predicate adjective of कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगार्थः (covered/adorned)

Context

His tail stood up looking magnificent like a colourful rainbow. Bedecked with various gems, he shone beautiful.

Characters & Entities

• Mārīca
• Mṛga (deer form)
• Ratna (jewels)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma teaches that what dazzles the senses is not automatically auspicious. The verse supports the Ramāyaṇa theme: illusion (māyā) can be crafted to destabilize righteous life.

What is the narrative situation?

The deer’s jeweled, rainbow-like features are emphasized to explain its irresistible attraction.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Self-control (dama) is implied—resisting impulsive pursuit of the alluring when it may endanger one’s responsibilities.