Shloka 34
मायामृगदर्शनम्
The Vision of the Illusory Deer
एतस्य मृगरत्नस्य परार्ध्ये काञ्चनत्वचि।उपवेक्ष्यति वैदेही मया सह सुमध्यमा।।3.43.34।।
etasya mṛgaratnasya parārdhye kāñcanatvaci | upavekṣyati vaidehī mayā saha sumadhyamā || 3.43.34 ||
ഈ മൃഗരത്നത്തിന്റെ അത്യന്തം വിലയേറിയ സ്വർണ്ണവർണ്ണ ത്വക്കിന്മേൽ, സുമധ്യമയായ വൈദേഹി സീതാദേവി എനിക്കൊപ്പം ഇരിക്കും.
FAQs
The verse highlights the subtle ethical tension between desire and discernment: an attractive object is imagined as a source of domestic comfort, yet Dharma requires vigilance so that personal longing does not override prudent judgment.
Rama, captivated by the extraordinary deer, imagines using its hide as a precious seat for Sītā, indicating his growing resolve to obtain it.
Affectionate devotion to Sītā is emphasized—Rama frames the deer’s value in terms of Sītā’s comfort—though the episode also foreshadows the need for विवेक (discernment).