Shloka 11
खर
शूर्पणखा-संवादः | Khara and Surpanakha: Lament, Reproach, and the Janasthana Crisis
अहमस्मि समुद्विग्ना विषण्णा च निशाचर।शरणं त्वां पुनः प्राप्ता सर्वतोभयदर्शिनी।।।।
aham asmi samudvignā viṣaṇṇā ca niśācara | śaraṇaṃ tvāṃ punaḥ prāptā sarvato bhayadarśinī ||
يا سائرَ الليل، إنني مضطربةٌ كئيبة؛ أرى الخوفَ من كلِّ جانب، وقد عدتُ إليك ألتمسُ الملجأ.
O demon ! I am scared and sad. To me everything looks frightening. I, therefore, seek refuge in you.
FAQs
The verse reflects the human (and rakshasa) impulse to seek shelter when consequences arrive; dharma teaching emerges by contrast—true refuge is found in right conduct, not merely in power.
Shurpanakha, frightened after Rama’s response, returns to Khara and begs protection.
Not virtue but dependence: fear drives her to seek external protection rather than inner correction.