Shloka 3.17.23

शूर्पणखाया आगमनम् — Surpanakha Approaches Rama

Devanagari script

रावणो नाम मे भ्राता बलीयान्राक्षसेश्वरः।वीरो विश्रवसः पुत्रो यदि ते श्रोत्रमागतः।।।।

Transliteration

rāvaṇo nāma me bhrātā balīyān rākṣaseśvaraḥ | vīro viśravasaḥ putro yadi te śrotram āgataḥ ||

Translation

“My brother is named Rāvaṇa—mighty, the lord of the rākṣasas, a hero, the son of Viśravas—if his name has reached your ears.”

Context

My brother is Ravana, son of Visrava, and lord of all demons. You have heard his name I suppose.

Characters & Entities

• Śūrpaṇakhā
• Rāvaṇa
• Viśravas

FAQs

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

A warning about power used as social leverage: lineage and might are invoked to intimidate, contrasting with dharma grounded in right conduct.

What is the narrative situation?

Śūrpaṇakhā introduces her family connection to Rāvaṇa to establish status and threat.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

None positively; the emphasis is on intimidation through association with a powerful ruler.