Shloka 30
मायामृगदर्शनम्
The Vision of the Illusory Deer
मांसहेतोरपि मृगान्विनोदार्थं च धन्वनः।घ्नन्ति लक्ष्मण राजानो मृगयायां महावने।।।।
māṃsahetor api mṛgān vinodārthaṃ ca dhanvanaḥ |
ghnanti lakṣmaṇa rājāno mṛgayāyāṃ mahāvane || 3.43.30 ||
ഹേ ലക്ഷ്മണാ, മഹാവനത്തിലെ മൃഗയയിൽ ധനുർധരരാജാക്കന്മാർ മാംസഹേതുവിനും വിനോദാർത്ഥത്തിനും മൃഗങ്ങളെ വധിക്കുന്നു.
From huge forests a variety of mineral wealth consisting of gems, stones and gold are collected with great effort.
FAQs
It raises the ethical tension between need and indulgence: taking life for necessity (food) is distinguished from killing for mere sport, prompting reflection on restraint and righteous use of power.
As the deer captivates Sītā, Rāma discusses hunting practices, framing the pursuit of the deer as something kings do—thus rationalizing the chase within a royal-forest context.
Rāma’s awareness of social norms and royal conduct (rāja-dharma), alongside the implied need for moderation.