Shloka 19
शूर्पणखाया आगमनम्
Surpanakha Approaches Rama
त्वां तु वेदितुमिच्छामि कस्य त्वं कासि कस्य वा।।।।त्वं हि तावन्मनोज्ञाङ्गी राक्षसी प्रतिभासि मे।
tvāṃ tu veditum icchāmi kasya tvaṃ kāsi kasya vā | tvaṃ hi tāvan manojñāṅgī rākṣasī pratibhāsi me ||
Doch ich wünsche dich zu erkennen: wessen bist du, und wer bist du? Denn obgleich deine Glieder anmutig sind, erscheinst du mir nicht als eine Rākṣasī.
On reaching the hermitage, Rama and Lakshmana performed the forenoon rituals and entered the leafthatched cottage.
FAQs
Truth-seeking and discernment: dharma begins with careful inquiry before judgment or engagement.
Rāma questions the unknown woman’s identity and lineage, noting her appearance does not match a typical demoness.
Rāma’s prudence and measured speech—inquiring calmly even in uncertainty.