मायामृगप्रकरणम्
The Illusory Deer Episode: Ravana and Maricha at Rama’s Hermitage
अनर्हाऽरण्यवासस्य सा तं रत्नमयं मृगम्।।3.42.32।।मुक्तामणि विचित्राङ्गं ददर्श परमाङ्गना।
anarhā 'raṇyavāsasya sā taṁ ratnamayaṁ mṛgam | muktāmaṇivicitrāṅgaṁ dadarśa paramāṅganā || 3.42.32 ||
นางผู้ประเสริฐนั้น ผู้ไม่สมควรแก่การพำนักในพงไพร ได้แลเห็นกวางอันดุจรัตนะ กายมีลวดลายวิจิตรประหนึ่งประดับด้วยมุกดาและแก้วมณี
Seeing such an unprecedented deer decorated with different gems, Sita, daughter of Janaka, stood amazed.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē araṇyakāṇḍē dvicatvāriṅśassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the fortysecond sarga of Aranyakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
It implicitly warns that dazzling appearances can distract the mind; dharma requires discernment (viveka) amid temptation and wonder.
Sītā sees the extraordinary, gem-like deer—an omen that initiates the chain of events leading to her abduction.
Refinement and nobility—Sītā is portrayed as a royal lady unsuited to harsh forest life.