Shloka 3.17.7
शूर्पणखाया आगमनम् — Surpanakha Approaches Rama
सिंहोरस्कं महाबाहुं पद्मपत्रनिभेक्षणम्।आजानुबाहुं दीप्तास्यमतीव प्रियदर्शनम्।।।।गजविक्रान्तगमनं जटामण्डलधारिणम्।सुकुमारं महासत्त्वं पार्थिवव्यञ्जनान्वितम्।।।।राममिन्दीवरश्यामं कन्दर्पसदृशप्रभम्।बभूवेन्द्रोपमं दृष्ट्वा राक्षसी काममोहिता।।।।
ity evam uktaḥ kākutsthaḥ prahasya madirekṣaṇām | idaṃ vacanam ārebhe vaktuṃ vākyaviśāradaḥ |
Thus addressed, Kakutstha (Rāma), smiling at the woman of intoxicating eyes, began to speak these words—he who was skilled in speech.
The demoness was infatuated with Rama, whose chest was like that of a lion, who was strongarmed, who had a glowing face, pleasing to the eyes, who walked with the gait of an elephant, whose hair was matted, who was gentle and strong who was, endowed with royal traits, who had a blue lotuslike complexion, who was handsome as the god of love, and who resembled Indra.
Dharma includes measured speech: even when confronted with impropriety, a righteous person responds with composure and discernment rather than uncontrolled anger.
After Śūrpaṇakhā’s provocative words, Rāma prepares to reply, and the narration highlights his skill in speaking.
Rāma’s restraint and rhetorical clarity—self-governed speech aligned with satya (truth) and maryādā (propriety).