Shloka 19
मायामृगदर्शनम्
The Vision of the Illusory Deer
निहतस्यास्य सत्त्वस्य जाम्बूनदमयत्वचि।शष्पबृस्यां विनीतायामिच्छाम्यहमुपासितुम्।।।।
nihatasyāsya sattvasya jāmbūnadamayatvaci | śaṣpabṛsyāṁ vinītāyām icchāmy aham upāsitum ||
若此生灵被杀，我愿在柔嫩青草铺成的座上，铺展它那金色皮毛，坐于其上。
If this animal is killed and its golden skin is spread on a tender grass cushion, there will I like to sit.
FAQs
It warns that indulgent imagination can intensify craving and justify wrongdoing. Dharma emphasizes inner discipline: do not let pleasure-visualization override compassion and prudent duty.
Sītā describes the luxury she imagines from the deer’s golden hide, increasing Rāma’s pressure to act.
The episode foregrounds the need for viveka (discernment) as a virtue—especially when beauty and novelty entice.