Shloka 3.17.3

शूर्पणखाया आगमनम् — Surpanakha Approaches Rama

Devanagari script

उवास सुखितस्तत्र पूज्यमानो महर्षिभिः।लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्रात्रा चकार विविधाः कथाः।।।।

Transliteration

sā tu śūrpaṇakhā nāma daśagrīvasya rākṣasaḥ | bhaginī rāmam āsādya dadarśa tridaśopamam ||

Translation

She was named Śūrpaṇakhā, sister of the rākṣasa Daśagrīva; drawing near to Rāma, she beheld him like a god.

Context

Honoured by the ascetics , Rama stayed there peacefully with brother Lakshmana,discussing diverse matters (from time to time).

Characters & Entities

• Śūrpaṇakhā
• Daśagrīva (Rāvaṇa)
• Rāma

FAQs

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

The verse frames a dharmic contrast: divine-like virtue can provoke desire in the undisciplined; moral struggle often begins with distorted perception.

What is the narrative situation?

Śūrpaṇakhā, sister of Rāvaṇa, comes near and beholds Rāma, initiating the episode that leads toward conflict.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s godlike presence—symbolizing inner order and restraint that stands in opposition to rākṣasī impulse.