Shloka 3.17.21
शूर्पणखाया आगमनम् — Surpanakha Approaches Rama
श्रूयतां राम वक्ष्यामि तत्त्वार्थं वचनं मम। ।।अहं शूर्पणखा नाम राक्षसी कामरूपिणी।अरण्यं विचरामीदमेका सर्वभयङ्करा।।।।
śrūyatāṃ rāma vakṣyāmi tattvārthaṃ vacanaṃ mama | ahaṃ śūrpaṇakhā nāma rākṣasī kāmarūpiṇī ||
“Listen, Rāma; I will speak my words in their true sense. I am Śūrpaṇakhā by name—a rākṣasī who can assume forms at will.”
My name is Surpanakha. I am a demoness who can assume any form at will, I move in this forest alone, unleashing a reign of terror.
Truthful self-disclosure (satya) is presented as the proper response to rightful questioning—even when one’s nature is dangerous.
Śūrpaṇakhā identifies herself and reveals her power of shape-shifting.
Directness in speech (though not necessarily moral goodness), framed as stating facts plainly.