Shloka 3
मारीचवधः — The Slaying of Maricha
Golden Deer Deception
तं वञ्चयानो राजेन्द्रमापतन्तं निरीक्ष्यवै।बभूवान्तर्हितस्त्रासात्पुनस्सन्दर्शनेऽभवत्।।च।।बद्धासिर्धनुरादाय प्रदुद्राव यतो मृगः।
taṃ vañcayāno rājendram āpatantaṃ nirīkṣya vai |
babhūvāntarhitas trāsāt punaḥ sandarśane ’bhavat ||
baddhāsir dhanur ādāya pradudrāva yato mṛgaḥ ||
那鹿欺诳王者罗摩，见他疾冲而来，便因恐惧隐没不见，旋即又再现。罗摩佩剑在身、手执弓矢，追逐它奔去，任凭那鹿逃向何方。
This demon Maricha screamed aloud saying, 'Alas, Sita, Alas, Lakshmana'. He is now dead. How would Sita react to this voice? What would be the condition of Lakshmana? While righteous Rama reflected on this, his hair stood on end.
FAQs
The verse contrasts dharma with adharma: Rāma acts with straightforward resolve, while the rākṣasa uses deceit. It warns that deception (māyā) can divert even the righteous if vigilance is relaxed.
Mārīca, disguised as a deer, repeatedly vanishes and reappears to lure Rāma away; Rāma pursues with weapons ready.
Rāma’s courage and determination in protecting his household, even as he is tested by a deceptive stratagem.