Shloka 3.17.12
शूर्पणखाया आगमनम् — Surpanakha Approaches Rama
सुमुखं दुर्मुखी रामं वृत्तमध्यं महोदरी।विशालाक्षं विरूपाक्षी सुकेशं ताम्रमूर्धजा।।3.17.10।।प्रीतिरूपं विरूपा सा सुस्वरं भैरवस्वरा।तरुणं दारुणा वृद्धा दक्षिणं वामभाषिणी।।3.17.11।।न्यायवृत्तं सुदुर्वृत्ता प्रियमप्रियदर्शना।शरीरजसमाविष्टा राक्षसी वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।3.17.12।।
evam uktas tu rākṣasyā śūrpaṇakhyā parantapaḥ | ṛjubuddhitayā sarvam ākhyātum upacakrame ||
Thus questioned by the rākṣasī Śūrpaṇakhā, Rāma—scorcher of foes—began to recount everything, prompted by his straightforwardness of mind.
Rama's face was lovely, Surpanakha's was hideous. Rama had a slender waist, she had a huge belly. His eyes were large, hers were deformed. His hair was black and beautiful, hers was coppercoloured. He was lovely in appearance, she was ugly. His voice was sweet, hers was shrill. He was young, she was dreadfully old. He was positive, she was perverted. Rama was wellbehaved, she was wicked. Rama was just and loving while she was overcome by lust. (This) demoness said to Rama :
Straightforward truth-telling (ṛjubhāva leading to satya in speech) is presented as Rāma’s natural response, even when questioned by a hostile being.
After Śūrpaṇakhā’s probing questions, Rāma prepares to explain his identity and circumstances.
Rāma’s ṛjubuddhi—transparent, uncomplicated honesty—paired with his heroic epithet parantapa.