Shloka 26
विक्रीडंश्च क्वचिद्भूमौ पुनरेव निषीदति।आश्रमद्वारमागम्य मृगयूथानि गच्छति।।3.42.26।।
vikrīḍaṃś ca kvacid bhūmau punar eva niṣīdati |
āśramadvāram āgamya mṛgayūthāni gacchati || 3.42.26 ||
कधी जमिनीवर खेळत खेळत तो पुन्हा बसून राही; आश्रमाच्या दारापर्यंत येऊन, मग मृगांच्या कळपांसह पुढे निघून जाई।
The deer is now sporting, now sitting on the ground, now standing at the entrance ofthe hermitage and now running with the herds of deer.
FAQs
Dharma includes respecting boundaries; the verse shows deceptive evil drawing near the threshold of safety, reminding that vigilance is needed precisely at points of entry and transition.
The illusory deer plays, rests, and even comes to the hermitage entrance, blending with real deer herds to appear natural.
Guardianship (rakṣaṇa): maintaining protective awareness at the ‘door’—literal and moral—where danger can enter.