Shloka 18
शूर्पणखाविरूपणम्
The Disfigurement of Śūrpaṇakhā
तां मृत्युपाशप्रतिमामापतन्तीं महाबलः।निगृह्य रामः कुपित स्ततो लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत्।।।।
tāṃ mṛtyupāśapratimām āpatantīṃ mahābalaḥ |
nigṛhya rāmaḥ kupitas tato lakṣmaṇam abravīt ||
فأمسكها راما العظيمُ البأس، وهو غضبان، إذ اندفعت كأنها حبلُ الموت نفسه، ثم خاطب لكشمانا.
Mighty Rama in a rage restrained her who was falling upon Sita like the noose of death, and said to Lakshmana:
FAQs
Protection of the innocent is a primary duty: Rāma restrains imminent violence and acts first to prevent harm, showing that force is subordinate to righteous protection.
Śūrpaṇakhā lunges toward Sītā in a murderous rage; Rāma stops her and turns to instruct Lakṣmaṇa on what to do next.
Rāma’s guardianship and moral control: even while angry, he prioritizes immediate protection and then gives measured direction.