Shloka 3.18.14

शूर्पणखाविरूपणम् (The Disfigurement of Śūrpaṇakhā)

Devanagari script

सा रामं पर्णशालायामुपविष्टं परन्तपम्।सीतया सह दुर्दर्षमब्रवीत्काममोहिता।।।।

Transliteration

sā rāmaṃ parṇaśālāyām upaviṣṭaṃ parantapam | sītayā saha durdarṣam abravīt kāmamohitā ||

Translation

Deluded by desire, she spoke to Rāma—the foe-scorcher, formidable to assail—who sat in the leaf-hut together with Sītā.

Context

Deluded with passion, Surpanakha said to formidable Rama, the scorcher of foes, seated in the leaf-thatched hut along with Sita:

Characters & Entities

• Śūrpaṇakhā
• Rāma
• Sītā
• Parṇaśālā (leaf-thatched hut)

FAQs

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

The verse frames kāma as moha (delusion) that drives one to violate boundaries; dharma protects household sanctity and respect for another’s marriage.

What is the narrative situation?

Śūrpaṇakhā confronts Rāma again while he is seated with Sītā in their forest hut.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s steadfastness and protective role are implied by epithets like ‘parantapa’ and ‘durdarṣa’ even in a domestic setting.