Shloka 23
मायामृगप्रकरणम्
The Illusory Deer Episode: Ravana and Maricha at Rama’s Hermitage
कदलीगृहकं गत्वा कर्णिकारानितस्ततः।समाश्रयन्मन्दगतिस्सीतासन्दर्शनं तथा।।3.42.23।।
kadalīgṛhakaṃ gatvā karṇikārān itas tataḥ |
samāśrayan mandagatiḥ sītāsandarśanaṃ tathā || 3.42.23 ||
तो कदलीवनात जाऊन, मग इकडे-तिकडे कर्णिकार वृक्षांकडे फिरत, मंद गतीने चालत राहिला—सीतेचे दर्शन व्हावे व तिचे लक्ष आपल्याकडे वेधले जावे, या हेतूनेच।
The deer went wandering about the banana groves surrounding Rama's hermitage and moved slowly towards the karnikara trees in order to catch the attention of Sita.
FAQs
The verse shows how wrongdoing uses calculated, patient tactics; dharma requires alertness to manipulation that approaches gently rather than violently.
Mārīca positions himself in attractive natural surroundings and advances slowly so Sītā will observe him.
Awareness (jāgratā): the capacity to recognize staged circumstances designed to provoke desire.