Maricha Dreams of Turning Again and Again to See Rama Pursue Him

Maricha imagines the last pursuit in vivid motion. Across the forest earth he will run in the body of the enchanted deer, and behind him Rama will come swiftly with bow and arrow held ready. Every stride will bring the promised shaft closer.

Yet Maricha's desire is not fixed upon escape. Again and again, while running, he will turn his head to look back at the Lord. The chase that serves Ravana's deception becomes in his heart a succession of darshans, each backward glance receiving Rama once more.

He calls himself blessed beyond every other being. No one else, he believes, will have a final hour like this: the Lord pursuing across the earth, the bow visible in his hand, the beloved face appearing each time the fleeing creature turns. Death waits at the end, but Maricha's contemplation fills the whole path with sight.

He will flee with his feet, yet every backward glance will run toward Rama.