Shloka 25
अरण्यकाण्डे द्वात्रिंशः सर्गः
Śūrpaṇakhā’s Report to Rāvaṇa and the Panegyric of His Might
तमब्रवीद्दीप्तविशाललोचनं प्रदर्शयित्वा भयमोहमूर्छिता।सुदारुणं वाक्यमभीतचारिणी महात्मना शूर्पणखा विरूपिता।।।।
tam abravīd dīpta-viśāla-locanaṃ pradarśayitvā bhaya-moha-mūrchitā | sudāruṇaṃ vākyam abhīta-cāriṇī mahātmanā śūrpaṇakhā virūpitā ||
وقد شوَّهها لاكشمانا العظيم النفس، فصارت شوربانخا—التي كانت تجوب بلا خوف—مغشيًّا عليها من الفزع والذهول؛ فأرتْهُ ما نالها من بترٍ وتشويه، وتفوَّهت بكلمات قاسية إلى ذي العينين الواسعتين المتقدتين (رافانا).
Wearing burnished golden ear-rings, he looked bright like the glittering vaidurya. And with his well-formed arms, white teeth and wide mouth, he looked like a mountain.
FAQs
The verse illustrates how suffering can intensify adharma when it turns into cruel speech and vengeful intent. Dharma calls for truth and restraint in speech, even amid pain.
After being disfigured in the forest, Śūrpaṇakhā reaches Rāvaṇa and, showing her mutilation, speaks harshly to provoke him.
By contrast, the need for vāg-saṃyama (discipline of speech) is emphasized; Śūrpaṇakhā’s lapse into cruel words highlights how fear and delusion can eclipse discernment.