Shloka 3.17.26

शूर्पणखाया आगमनम् — Surpanakha Approaches Rama

Devanagari script

अहं प्रभावसम्पन्ना स्वच्छन्दबलगामिनी।।।।चिराय भव मे भर्ता सीतया किं करिष्यसि।

Transliteration

ahaṃ prabhāvasampannā svacchandabalagāminī | cirāya bhava me bhartā sītayā kiṃ kariṣyasi ||

Translation

I am endowed with power and can go wherever I please; be my husband for a long time. What will you do with Sītā?

Context

I have influence over others, I have capacity to move wherever I want. Be my husband forever. What will you do with Sita?

Characters & Entities

• Śūrpaṇakhā
• Rāma
• Sītā

FAQs

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

It underscores the dharmic ideal of marital fidelity by presenting its violation: Śūrpaṇakhā urges abandonment of Sītā, opposing righteous conduct.

What is the narrative situation?

Śūrpaṇakhā attempts to entice Rāma by boasting of her power and directly demeaning/discounting Sītā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Implicitly, Rāma’s expected virtue is steadfastness to Sītā and adherence to maryādā (right relationship and restraint).