When the ten-headed RŒva˜a drew near to the forest ( in which Ýr¶ RŒma had taken up His abode), MŒr¶ca assumed the false appearance of a deer, so very wonderful as to defy description, with a body of gold artistically inlaid with jewels. When S¶tŒ saw the exquisitely beautiful creature, most lovely in every limb, She said, “ Listen, my gracious Lord Ýr¶ RŒma (Hero of Raghu’s line), this deer has a most charming skin. Pray kill this animal, my lord, and get me the hide, true as you are to your word.” Thereupon the Lord of Raghus, even though He knew all the circumstances (that had led MŒr¶ca to assume the semblance of a deer) arose with joy to accomplish the object of the gods. Casting a look at the deer He girded up His loins with a piece of cloth and taking the bow in His hand fitted a shining arrow to the same. The Lord cautioned Lakƒma˜a: “ A host of demons, brother, roam about in the woods. Take care of S¶tŒ with due regard to your strength and circumstances and making use of your intellect and discretion.” The deer took to flight at the sight of the Lord and Ýr¶ RŒma ran after it pulling His bow-string. How strange that He whom the Vedas describe in negative terms such a ‘not that’ and 686 * ÝR” RMACARITAMNASA* whom Ýiva is unable to catch hold of even in meditation, ran in pursuit of a false deer! Now close at hand. The very next moment it ran away to some distance; at one time it came into view, at another it went out of sight. Thus alternately revealing and concealing itself and practising every kind of wile, it took the Lord far away. Now Ýr¶ RŒma took a steady aim and let fly the fatal shaft, when the animal fell to the ground with a fearful cry, first calling aloud to Lakƒma˜a but afterwards mentally invoking Ýr¶ RŒma. While giving up the ghost it manifested its real form and lovingly remembered Ýr¶ RŒma. The omniscient Lord, who could see the love of his heart, conferred on him the state which cannot be easily attained to even by the sages. (1—9)