Shloka 9
शूर्पणखाविरूपणम्
The Disfigurement of Śūrpaṇakhā
कथं दासस्य मे दासी भार्या भवितुमिच्छसि।सोऽहमार्येण परवान्भ्रात्रा कमलवर्णिनि।।।।
kathaṃ dāsasya me dāsī bhāryā bhavitum icchasi | so 'ham āryeṇa paravān bhrātrā kamalavarṇini ||
„O lotusfarbene Dame, wie könntest du wünschen, meine Gattin zu werden, da ich ein Diener bin, ja ein Diener eines Dieners? Denn ich bin ganz von meinem edlen älteren Bruder abhängig.“
O lotus-complexioned woman , how can you act as a maid to a slave ? Why do you intend to be so? I am already dependent on my revered brother.
FAQs
Lakṣmaṇa affirms dharma as loyal service and rightful dependence on the elder brother (and leader). Personal desire is subordinated to duty and ordained relationship.
Lakṣmaṇa answers Śūrpaṇakhā’s proposal by presenting himself as a dependent servant of Rāma, discouraging her advances.
Lakṣmaṇa’s steadfast loyalty (sevā-bhāva) and commitment to maryādā—he defines himself through duty rather than self-indulgence.