Shloka 3.17.8
शूर्पणखाया आगमनम् — Surpanakha Approaches Rama
सिंहोरस्कं महाबाहुं पद्मपत्रनिभेक्षणम्।आजानुबाहुं दीप्तास्यमतीव प्रियदर्शनम्।।3.17.7।।गजविक्रान्तगमनं जटामण्डलधारिणम्।सुकुमारं महासत्त्वं पार्थिवव्यञ्जनान्वितम्।।3.17.8।।राममिन्दीवरश्यामं कन्दर्पसदृशप्रभम्।बभूवेन्द्रोपमं दृष्ट्वा राक्षसी काममोहिता।।3.17.9।।
gajavikrāntagamanaṃ jaṭāmaṇḍaladhāriṇam |
sukumāraṃ mahāsattvaṃ pārthivavyañjanānvitam || 3.17.8 ||
She saw Rāma—whose stride was like an elephant’s, who wore a circle of matted locks, who was tender in appearance yet mighty in spirit, and marked with the signs of royalty.
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.
The verse highlights Rāma’s royal and disciplined bearing even in exile, underscoring dharma as steadiness of character and conduct regardless of circumstance.
It suggests an ideal of righteous strength: true power (sattva) is compatible with gentleness, reflecting a dharmic model of self-controlled, non-brutal might.