Shloka 3.17.6

शूर्पणखाया आगमनम् — Surpanakha Approaches Rama

Devanagari script

सा तु शूर्पणखा नाम दशग्रीवस्य राक्षसः।भगिनी राममासाद्य ददर्श त्रिदशोपमम्।।।।

Transliteration

tataḥ parvataśṛṅgāṇi vanāni vividhāni ca | paśyan saha mayā kānta daṇḍakān vicariṣyasi |

Translation

“Then, my beloved, you will roam with me through the forests of Daṇḍaka, beholding mountain peaks and many kinds of woods.”

Context

Surpanakha, sister of the tenheaded demon (Ravana) approached Rama shining like a god.

Characters & Entities

• Śūrpaṇakhā
• Rāma
• Daṇḍaka (forest)

FAQs

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

Dharma upholds rightful relationships; the verse shows temptation framed as pleasure, but it is ethically disordered because it ignores Rāma’s marital vow and duty.

What is the narrative situation?

Śūrpaṇakhā attempts to entice Rāma with a romantic promise of wandering together in the forest.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The implied virtue is fidelity and self-control—resisting persuasion that contradicts truth (satya) and marital dharma.