Shloka 3.17.20

शूर्पणखाया आगमनम् — Surpanakha Approaches Rama

Devanagari script

इह वा किंनिमित्तं त्वमागता ब्रूहि तत्त्वत:।।।।साब्रवीद् वचनं श्रुत्वा राक्षसी मदनार्दिता।

Transliteration

iha vā kiṃnimittaṃ tvam āgatā brūhi tattvataḥ | sābravīd vacanaṃ śrutvā rākṣasī madanārditā ||

Translation

“Tell me truly—what purpose has brought you here?” Hearing these words, the rākṣasī, tormented by desire, replied.

Context

Tell me truly what you have come here for. Having heard the words of Rama and overtaken by passion, the demoness said:

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Śūrpaṇakhā
• madana (desire/personified Love)

FAQs

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

Commitment to truth (tattvataḥ) in speech and inquiry; ethical interaction requires honest disclosure of intent.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma demands the real motive for the stranger’s arrival; the narration signals Śūrpaṇakhā’s desire-driven response.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s insistence on truthful clarification before proceeding.