Shloka 3.17.13

शूर्पणखाया आगमनम् — Surpanakha Approaches Rama

Devanagari script

जटी तापसरूपेण सभार्यश्शरचापधृत्।आगतस्त्वमिमं देशं कथं राक्षससेवितम्।।।।किमागमनकृत्यं ते तत्त्वमाख्यातुमर्हसि।

Transliteration

anṛtaṃ na hi rāmasya kadācid api sammatam | viśeṣeṇāśramasthasya samīpe strījanasya ca ||

Translation

For Rāma, untruth is never acceptable—especially while dwelling in a hermitage, and all the more in the presence of women.

Context

O Rama you are wearing matted hair like an ascetic, but living with your wife and holding bow and arrows. What brings you to this place haunted by demons ? You should tell me the truth ?

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Āśrama (hermitage)
• Strījana (women, as a social/ethical category)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Satya (truthfulness): untruth is categorically rejected, with heightened moral vigilance in sacred spaces (āśrama) and in socially protected contexts (in the presence of women).

What is the narrative situation?

As Rāma is about to answer Śūrpaṇakhā, the narrator explains why he speaks plainly: lying is against his nature and vows.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s unwavering commitment to satya as part of maryādā—regulated, principled conduct.