Shloka 4
मायामृगदर्शनम्
The Vision of the Illusory Deer
शङ्कमानस्तु तं दृष्ट्वा लक्ष्मणो राममब्रवीत्।तमेवैनमहं मन्ये मारीचं राक्षसं मृगम्।।।।
śaṅkamānas tu taṃ dṛṣṭvā lakṣmaṇo rāmam abravīt | tam evainam ahaṃ manye mārīcaṃ rākṣasaṃ mṛgam ||
तं दृष्ट्वा शङ्कमानो लक्ष्मणो राममब्रवीत्—‘अहं तमेव मन्ये, मारीचं राक्षसं मृगरूपिणम्’ इति।
Seeing the deer, Lakshmana suspected him to be Maricha and said this to Rama.
FAQs
Satya-guided prudence: Dharma includes speaking timely truth to prevent harm. Lakṣmaṇa models responsible counsel—warning a leader when danger is disguised as beauty.
At the sight of the extraordinary deer, Lakṣmaṇa suspects deception and identifies it as Mārīca in disguise.
Vigilance and loyal counsel: Lakṣmaṇa prioritizes safety and truth over fascination with appearances.