Shloka 3.17.9
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।।
rāmam indīvaraśyāmaṃ kandarpasadṛśaprabham | babhūvendropamaṃ dṛṣṭvā rākṣasī kāmamohitā || 3.17.9 ||
Seeing Rāma—dark as a blue lotus, radiant like Kāma, and comparable to Indra—the rākṣasī became deluded by desire.
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 cautions that unchecked kāma (desire) can cloud discernment; dharma requires self-mastery so perception does not become moral delusion (moha).
Śūrpaṇakhā sees Rāma in the forest and immediately becomes infatuated, setting up the conflict that follows.
Indirectly, Rāma’s śrī (noble radiance and kingly presence) is highlighted; the verse contrasts that with Śūrpaṇakhā’s loss of restraint under desire.