Shloka 3.17.2
शूर्पणखाया आगमनम् — Surpanakha Approaches Rama
आश्रमं तमुपागम्य राघवस्सह लक्ष्मणः।कृत्वा पौर्वाह्णिकं कर्म पर्णशालामुपागमत्।।।।
tvāṃ tu veditum icchāmi kasya tvaṃ kāsi kasya vā | tvaṃ hi tāvan manojñāṅgī rākṣasī pratibhāsi me ||
Yet I wish to know you—whose are you, and who are you? For though your form is pleasing, you do not appear to me to be a rākṣasī (demoness).
On reaching the hermitage, Rama and Lakshmana performed the forenoon rituals and entered the leafthatched cottage.
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.