Shloka 27
मायामृगप्रकरणम्
The Illusory Deer Episode: Ravana and Maricha at Rama’s Hermitage
मृगयूथैरनुगतः पुनरेव निवर्तते।सीतादर्शनमाकांक्षन्राक्षसो मृगतां गतः।।3.42.27।।परिभ्रमति चित्राणि मण्डलानि विनिष्पतन्।
mṛgayūthair anugataḥ punar eva nivartate |
sītādarśanam ākāṅkṣan rākṣaso mṛgatāṃ gataḥ || 3.42.27 ||
paribhramati citrāṇi maṇḍalāni viniṣpatan |
Diikuti kawanan rusa, ia kembali berulang-ulang; rākṣasa itu—yang menyamar menjadi rusa—mendambakan agar Sītā melihatnya, lalu melompat-lompat dan berputar membentuk lingkaran-lingkaran yang menakjubkan.
Followed by herds of deer and coming back to see Sita again and again, the deer cavorted and pranced and frisked in circles in a wonderful way.
FAQs
The verse shows adharma exploiting desire and attention; dharma is strengthened by controlling what we ‘seek to see’ and recognizing when attention is being deliberately hijacked.
Mārīca repeatedly returns, blending with deer herds and performing captivating movements so Sītā will notice him.
Inner discipline (saṃyama): mastery over curiosity and attraction that can lead one away from safety and duty.