Shloka 23

मायामृगप्रकरणम्

The Illusory Deer Episode: Ravana and Maricha at Rama’s Hermitage

Devanagari script

कदलीगृहकं गत्वा कर्णिकारानितस्ततः।समाश्रयन्मन्दगतिस्सीतासन्दर्शनं तथा।।3.42.23।।

Transliteration

kadalīgṛhakaṃ gatvā karṇikārān itas tataḥ |

samāśrayan mandagatiḥ sītāsandarśanaṃ tathā || 3.42.23 ||

Translation

他走入芭蕉林，又在此处彼处趋向金链花（karṇikāra）树间；步履缓慢，只为也能引得悉多注意并得见他。

Word by Word

• राजीवचित्रपृष्ठः: with a lotus-hued/variegated back
• राजीवचित्रपृष्ठः: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier of कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: राजीव + चित्र + पृष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (one whose back is lotus-colored/variegated)

• सः: he
• सः: कर्ता (Karta/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• विरराज: shone, glittered
• विरराज: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + राज् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• महामृगः: great deer
• महामृगः: कर्ता (Karta/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + मृग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (great deer)

• रामाश्रमपदाभ्याशे: near Rama's hermitage
• रामाश्रमपदाभ्याशे: अधिकरण (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम + आश्रम + पद + अभ्याश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (in the vicinity of Rama's hermitage-place)

• विचचार: wandered
• विचचार: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + चर् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• यथासुखम्: at ease, comfortably
• यथासुखम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा + सुख (अव्ययीभाव-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावसमासः; अव्यय (adverb: as one pleases/comfortably)

Context

The deer went wandering about the banana groves surrounding Rama's hermitage and moved slowly towards the karnikara trees in order to catch the attention of Sita.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Mārīca (implied)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

The verse shows how wrongdoing uses calculated, patient tactics; dharma requires alertness to manipulation that approaches gently rather than violently.

What is the narrative situation?

Mārīca positions himself in attractive natural surroundings and advances slowly so Sītā will observe him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Awareness (jāgratā): the capacity to recognize staged circumstances designed to provoke desire.