# Araṇya Kāṇḍa 41 — Rāma pursues the deer

*Lakṣmaṇa suspects Mārīca, Sītā asks for the living animal or its hide and Rāma leaves Lakṣmaṇa to guard her*

Portion: The golden deer separates Rāma and Sītā · Verses: 49 · Ref format: 3.41.<verse>

## Sequence

- Sītā calls Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa to look at the deer (41.1–3)
- Lakṣmaṇa immediately suspects Mārīca, recalling that he has used disguises to kill royal hunters → he argues that no natural deer could be covered with jewels in this way (41.4–7)
- Sītā interrupts and asks Rāma to capture it for their enjoyment (41.8–14)
- she hopes to take it back to Ayodhyā as a living marvel for the family → if it cannot be caught alive, she asks for its golden hide to spread over her grass couch (41.15–20)
- Rāma too is captivated by its appearance and speaks of fulfilling her wish (41.21–28)
- he discusses hunting for food and recreation and the value of unusual things obtained through effort, imagining the hide as a seat for them both (41.29–35)
- he adds that if Lakṣmaṇa is right and it is Mārīca, then killing it is justified by the rākṣasa's attacks on munis and hunters (41.36–38)
- he recalls Agastya's destruction of Vātāpi and says the same fate awaits a rākṣasa who underestimates him (41.39–43)
- he orders Lakṣmaṇa to remain alert beside Sītā, with Jaṭāyu nearby, while he captures or kills the deer and returns (41.44–49).

## Verses

**3.41.1**  
sā taṃ saṃprekṣya suśroṇī kusumāni vicinvatī  
hemarājata varṇābhyāṃ pārśvābhyām upaśobhitam  
Beholding him—graced with two flanks of gold and silver hue—she, the fair-hipped one, while gathering flowers,

**3.41.2**  
prahṛṣṭā cānavadyāṅgī mṛṣṭahāṭakavarṇinī  
bhartāram api cākrandal lakṣmaṇaṃ caiva sāyudham  
delighted, she of flawless limbs, of the hue of polished gold, called out to her husband and to Lakṣmaṇa, who bore his weapons.

**3.41.3**  
tayāhūtau naravyāghrau vaidehyā rāmalakṣmaṇau  
vīkṣamāṇau tu taṃ deśaṃ tadā dadṛśatur mṛgam  
Called by Vaidehī, those two tigers among men, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, looking over that spot, then saw the deer.

**3.41.4**  
śaṅkamānas tu taṃ dṛṣṭvā lakṣmaṇo rāmam abravīt  
tam evainam ahaṃ manye mārīcaṃ rākṣasaṃ mṛgam  
But Lakṣmaṇa, seeing it, grew suspicious and said to Rāma: 'This very one I take to be that rākṣasa Mārīca in deer-form.'

**3.41.5**  
caranto mṛgayāṃ hṛṣṭāḥ pāpenopādhinā vane  
anena nihatā rāma rājānaḥ kāmarūpiṇā  
By this one, who takes forms at will, through his wicked wiles, kings roaming the chase in delight in the forest have been slain, Rāma.

**3.41.6**  
asya māyāvido māyā mṛgarūpam idaṃ kṛtam  
bhānumatpuruṣavyāghra gandharvapurasaṃnibham  
This deer-form is the magic of this master of illusion, O radiant tiger among men—resembling a city of the gandharvas.

**3.41.7**  
mṛgo hy evaṃvidho ratnavicitro nāsti rāghava  
jagatyāṃ jagatīnātha māyaiṣā hi na saṃśayaḥ  
For such a deer, dappled with jewels, does not exist on earth, Rāghava; O lord of the earth, this is surely magic, no doubt.

**3.41.8**  
evaṃ bruvāṇaṃ kākutsthaṃ prativārya śucismitā  
uvāca sītā saṃhṛṣṭā chadmanā hṛtacetanā  
Checking the Kākutstha (Lakṣmaṇa) as he spoke thus, Sītā of the bright smile, greatly delighted, her wits stolen by the trick, said:

**3.41.9**  
āryaputrābhirāmo 'sau mṛgo harati me manaḥ  
ānayainaṃ mahābāho krīḍārthaṃ no bhaviṣyati  
'Noble husband, that lovely deer steals my heart; fetch it, O mighty-armed one—it shall be for our amusement.'

**3.41.10**  
ihāśramapade 'smākaṃ bahavaḥ puṇyadarśanāḥ  
mṛgāś caranti sahitāś camarāḥ sṛmarās tathā  
Here at our hermitage-ground many deer of auspicious appearance roam together—camaras and sṛmaras likewise,

**3.41.11**  
ṛkṣāḥ pṛṣatasaṃghāś ca vānarāḥ kinarās tathā  
vicaranti mahābāho rūpaśreṣṭhā mahābalāḥ  
bears, and herds of spotted deer, and monkeys, and kinnaras too, wander about, O mighty-armed one—of surpassing beauty and great strength;

**3.41.12**  
na cāsya sadṛśo rājan dṛṣṭapūrvo mṛgaḥ purā  
tejasā kṣamayā dīptyā yathāyaṃ mṛgasattamaḥ  
but never before, O prince, has a deer like this been seen—in splendour, gentleness, and radiance such as this best of deer.

**3.41.13**  
nānāvarṇavicitrāṅgo ratnabindusamācitaḥ  
dyotayan vanam avyagraṃ śobhate śaśisaṃnibhaḥ  
With his body variegated in many colours, studded with jewel-like spots, calmly lighting up the forest, he shines like the moon.

**3.41.14**  
aho rūpam aho lakṣmīḥ svarasaṃpac ca śobhanā  
mṛgo 'dbhuto vicitro 'sau hṛdayaṃ haratīva me  
Ah, what beauty! Ah, what grace, and what a lovely richness of voice! That wondrous, dappled deer fairly steals my heart.

**3.41.15**  
yadi grahaṇam abhyeti jīvann eva mṛgas tava  
āścaryabhūtaṃ bhavati vismayaṃ janayiṣyati  
If the deer comes into your capture alive, it will be a marvel and will excite wonder.

**3.41.16**  
samāptavanavāsānāṃ rājyasthānāṃ ca naḥ punaḥ  
antaḥpuravibhūṣārtho mṛga eṣa bhaviṣyati  
When our forest-dwelling is over and we are again established in the kingdom, this deer will serve to adorn the inner apartments.

**3.41.17**  
bharatasyāryaputrasya śvaśrūṇāṃ mama ca prabho  
mṛgarūpam idaṃ divyaṃ vismayaṃ janayiṣyati  
For Bharata, for the noble prince (you), for my mothers-in-law, and for me, O lord, this divine deer-form will produce wonder.

**3.41.18**  
jīvan na yadi te 'bhyeti grahaṇaṃ mṛgasattamaḥ  
ajinaṃ naraśārdūla ruciraṃ me bhaviṣyati  
If the best of deer does not come alive into your capture, then, O tiger among men, its lovely hide will be mine.

**3.41.19**  
nihatasyāsya sattvasya jāmbūnadamayatvaci  
śaṣpabṛsyāṃ vinītāyām icchāmy aham upāsitum  
When this creature is slain, I wish to sit upon its golden hide, spread over a couch of tender grass.

**3.41.20**  
kāmavṛttam idaṃ raudraṃ strīṇām asadṛśaṃ matam  
vapuṣā tv asya sattvasya vismayo janito mama  
This self-willed and savage (wish) is deemed unbecoming for women; yet by the beauty of this creature wonder has been stirred in me.

**3.41.21**  
tena kāñcanaroṃṇā tu maṇipravaraśṛṅgiṇā  
taruṇādityavarṇena nakṣatrapathavarcasā  
babhūva rāghavasyāpi mano vismayam āgatam  
And by that deer—golden-haired, with horns of choicest gems, of the colour of the young sun, radiant as the starry sky—even Rāghava's mind was filled with wonder.

**3.41.22**  
evaṃ sītāvacaḥ śrutvā dṛṣṭvā ca mṛgam adbhutam  
uvāca rāghavo hṛṣṭo bhrātaraṃ lakṣmaṇaṃ vacaḥ  
Thus hearing Sītā's words and seeing the wondrous deer, Rāghava, delighted, spoke these words to his brother Lakṣmaṇa:

**3.41.23**  
paśya lakṣmaṇa vaidehyāḥ spṛhāṃ mṛgagatām imām  
rūpaśreṣṭhatayā hy eṣa mṛgo 'dya na bhaviṣyati  
See, Lakṣmaṇa, this longing of Vaidehī's, fixed upon the deer; by reason of its surpassing beauty, this deer shall not live out this day.

**3.41.24**  
na vane nandanoddeśe na caitrarathasaṃśraye  
kutaḥ pṛthivyāṃ saumitre yo 'sya kaś cit samo mṛgaḥ  
Not in the Nandana grove, nor in the Caitraratha wood, how much less on earth, Saumitri, is there any deer that is the equal of this one.

**3.41.25**  
pratilomānulomāś ca rucirā romarājayaḥ  
śobhante mṛgam āśritya citrāḥ kanakabindubhiḥ  
Lovely lines of hair, running against and with the grain, dappled with golden spots, adorn the deer's body.

**3.41.26**  
paśyāsya jṛmbhamāṇasya dīptām agniśikhopamām  
jihvāṃ mukhān niḥsarantīṃ meghād iva śatahradām  
Look, as he yawns, at his tongue coming forth from his mouth, blazing like a flame of fire, like lightning from a cloud.

**3.41.27**  
masāragalvarkamukhaḥ śaṅkhamuktānibhodaraḥ  
kasya nāmānirūpyo 'sau na mano lobhayen mṛgaḥ  
With a mouth like a cat's-eye gem, a belly like conch and pearl—whose mind would that indescribable deer not allure?

**3.41.28**  
kasya rūpam idaṃ dṛṣṭvā jāmbūnadamaya prabham  
nānāratnamayaṃ divyaṃ na mano vismayaṃ vrajet  
Seeing this form, gleaming like gold, made of many jewels, divine—whose mind would not fall into wonder?

**3.41.29**  
māṃsahetor api mṛgān vihārārthaṃ ca dhanvinaḥ  
ghnanti lakṣmaṇa rājāno mṛgayāyāṃ mahāvane  
For the sake of flesh, and also for sport, archer-kings kill deer in the hunt in the great forest, Lakṣmaṇa.

**3.41.30**  
dhanāni vyavasāyena vicīyante mahāvane  
dhātavo vividhāś cāpi maṇiratnasuvarṇinaḥ  
By exertion, riches are gathered in the great forest—minerals too of various kinds, rich in gems, jewels, and gold.

**3.41.31**  
tat sāram akhilaṃ nṝṇāṃ dhanaṃ nicayavardhanam  
manasā cintitaṃ sarvaṃ yathā śukrasya lakṣmaṇa  
That is the whole essence of men's wealth, augmenting their store—all that is conceived in the mind, as it is for Śukra, Lakṣmaṇa.

**3.41.32**  
arthī yenārthakṛtyena saṃvrajaty avicārayan  
tam artham arthaśāstrajñaḥ prāhur arthyāś ca lakṣmaṇa  
That gain, toward which a man of purpose proceeds unhesitatingly in pursuit of his aim—that, Lakṣmaṇa, those versed in the science of wealth and men of substance call 'artha.'

**3.41.33**  
etasya mṛgaratnasya parārdhye kāñcanatvaci  
upavekṣyati vaidehī mayā saha sumadhyamā  
Upon the priceless golden hide of this jewel of a deer, slender-waisted Vaidehī shall sit together with me.

**3.41.34**  
na kādalī na priyakī na praveṇī na cāvikī  
bhaved etasya sadṛśī sparśaneneti me matiḥ  
Neither a kādalī-deerskin, nor a priyaka-skin, nor a woven rug, nor a woollen fleece would equal this to the touch—such is my thought.

**3.41.35**  
eṣa caiva mṛgaḥ śrīmān yaś ca divyo nabhaścaraḥ  
ubhāv etau mṛgau divyau tārāmṛgamahīmṛgau  
This glorious deer, and that divine one that courses the sky—both these are celestial deer: the star-deer of the sky and the earth-deer.

**3.41.36**  
yadi vāyaṃ tathā yan māṃ bhaved vadasi lakṣmaṇa  
māyaiṣā rākṣasasyeti kartavyo 'sya vadho mayā  
Or if this one be indeed as you tell me, Lakṣmaṇa—that this is the magic of a rākṣasa—then its slaying must be done by me.

**3.41.37**  
etena hi nṛśaṃsena mārīcenākṛtātmanā  
vane vicaratā pūrvaṃ hiṃsitā munipuṃgavāḥ  
For by this cruel, evil-natured Mārīca, ranging the forest, bulls among sages were formerly harmed;

**3.41.38**  
utthāya bahavo yena mṛgayāyāṃ janādhipāḥ  
nihatāḥ parameṣvāsās tasmād vadhyas tv ayaṃ mṛgaḥ  
by whom many kings, mighty archers, setting out on the hunt, were slain; therefore this deer deserves to die.

**3.41.39**  
purastād iha vātāpiḥ paribhūya tapasvinaḥ  
udarastho dvijān hanti svagarbho 'śvatarīm iva  
In olden days here Vātāpi, scorning ascetics, would kill the brahmins from within their bellies, as an unborn foal kills a she-mule.

**3.41.40**  
sa kadā cic cirāl loke āsasāda mahāmunim  
agastyaṃ tejasā yuktaṃ bhakṣyas tasya babhūva ha  
Once, after a long while, he came upon the great sage Agastya, full of power, in the world, and became his food.

**3.41.41**  
samutthāne ca tad rūpaṃ kartukāmaṃ samīkṣya tam  
utsmayitvā tu bhagavān vātāpim idam abravīt  
And seeing him wishing to resume that (Vātāpi) form as he rose (from the meal), the venerable one smiled and said this to Vātāpi:

**3.41.42**  
tvayāvigaṇya vātāpe paribhūtāś ca tejasā  
jīvaloke dvijaśreṣṭhās tasmād asi jarāṃ gataḥ  
'By you, Vātāpi, disregarding and scorning them by your power, the best of brahmins in the world of the living were destroyed; therefore you are digested (brought to your end).'

**3.41.43**  
evaṃ tan na bhaved rakṣo vātāpir iva lakṣmaṇa  
madvidhaṃ yo 'timanyeta dharmanityaṃ jitendriyam  
So this rākṣasa, who would slight one like me—ever devoted to dharma and master of his senses—shall not survive, but perish like Vātāpi, Lakṣmaṇa.

**3.41.44**  
bhaved dhato 'yaṃ vātāpir agastyeneva mā gatiḥ  
iha tvaṃ bhava saṃnaddho yantrito rakṣa maithilīm  
This one would be slain as Vātāpi was by Agastya—let there be no escape for it. Here you, girded and alert, guard Maithilī.

**3.41.45**  
asyām āyattam asmākaṃ yat kṛtyaṃ raghunandana  
aham enaṃ vadhiṣyāmi grahīṣyāmy atha vā mṛgam  
On her rests all that is our concern, O joy of the Raghus; I shall either slay this deer or capture it.

**3.41.46**  
yāvad gacchāmi saumitre mṛgam ānayituṃ drutam  
paśya lakṣmaṇa vaidehīṃ mṛgatvaci gataspṛhām  
While I go, Saumitri, to fetch the deer quickly, watch over Vaidehī, Lakṣmaṇa, whose longing is set on the deer's hide.

**3.41.47**  
tvacā pradhānayā hy eṣa mṛgo 'dya na bhaviṣyati  
apramattena te bhāvyam āśramasthena sītayā  
For with its excellent hide, this deer shall not live out this day; you must remain vigilant, staying at the hermitage with Sītā.

**3.41.48**  
yāvat pṛṣatam ekena sāyakena nihanmy aham  
hatvaitac carma ādāya śīghram eṣyāmi lakṣmaṇa  
As soon as I bring down the spotted deer with a single arrow, having slain it and taken its skin, I shall return quickly, Lakṣmaṇa.

**3.41.49**  
pradakṣiṇenātibalena pakṣiṇā jaṭāyuṣā buddhimatā ca lakṣmaṇa  
bhavāpramattaḥ pratigṛhya maithilīṃ pratikṣaṇaṃ sarvata eva śaṅkitaḥ  
With the auspicious, mighty, and wise bird Jaṭāyus at hand, Lakṣmaṇa, stay vigilant, keeping Maithilī close, wary on every side at every moment.