Shloka 34
मायामृगप्रकरणम्
The Illusory Deer Episode: Ravana and Maricha at Rama’s Hermitage
स च तां रामदयितां पश्यन्मायामयो मृगः।।3.42.34।।विचचार पुनश्चित्रं दीपयन्निव तद्वनम्।
sa ca tāṁ rāmadayitāṁ paśyan māyāmayo mṛgaḥ | vicacāra punaś citraṁ dīpayann iva tad vanam || 3.42.34 ||
اور وہ مایا سے بنا ہوا ہرن، رام کی پیاری کو دیکھ کر، پھر نہایت عجیب انداز میں اِدھر اُدھر پھرنے لگا، گویا اُس جنگل کو خود روشن کر رہا ہو۔
Ravana was so overwhelmed with joy to hear those words that he embraced him tightly and said:.
FAQs
It illustrates how adharma operates through māyā (deceptive display); dharma requires discrimination and caution toward seductive spectacle.
The disguised Mārīca, as an illusory deer, deliberately parades before Sītā to entice and distract her household.
On the negative side, cunning deception is shown (as a vice) through the deer’s calculated display.