Shloka 22
मायामृगप्रकरणम्
The Illusory Deer Episode: Ravana and Maricha at Rama’s Hermitage
रूप्यैर्बिन्दुशतैश्चित्रो भूत्वा स प्रियदर्शनः।विटपीनां किसलयान्भङ्त्क्वाऽदन्विचचार ह।।3.42.22।।
rūpyair binduśataiś citro bhūtvā sa priyadarśanaḥ |
viṭapīnāṃ kisalayān bhaṅktvā adan vicacāra ha || 3.42.22 ||
他身披数百银点，奇丽悦目；徘徊游荡间，啃食树木柔嫩的新芽。
That deer with hundreds of silver spots on the body appeared enchanting and pleasing to the eyes while he wandered about nibbling the tender leaves of trees.
FAQs
It underscores that deception can imitate harmless, natural behavior; dharma calls for vigilance when something appears extraordinarily attractive yet serves a hidden agenda.
The disguised Mārīca behaves like a real deer—feeding on shoots—to make the illusion convincing.
Prudence (apramāda): careful attention to signs that distinguish truth from crafted imitation.