Shloka 3.18.16

शूर्पणखाविरूपणम् (The Disfigurement of Śūrpaṇakhā)

Devanagari script

अद्येमां भक्षयिष्यामि पश्यतस्तव मानुषीम्।त्वया सह चरिष्यामि निस्सपत्ना यथासुखम्।।।।

Transliteration

adyemāṃ bhakṣayiṣyāmi paśyatas tava mānuṣīm | tvayā saha cariṣyāmi nissapatnā yathāsukham ||

Translation

Today, even as you look on, I will devour this human woman; then I shall roam with you in happiness, with no rival wife.

Context

I shall eat up this woman now before your very eyes and I can move about happily with you without a co-wife.

Characters & Entities

• Śūrpaṇakhā
• Rāma
• Sītā

FAQs

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

The verse starkly opposes dharma: it voices हिंसा (violence) and adharma born of desire; dharma demands protection of the innocent and restraint of predatory impulses.

What is the narrative situation?

Śūrpaṇakhā escalates from insult to an explicit threat to kill Sītā so she can possess Rāma exclusively.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The threatened virtue is Rāma’s duty as protector (rakṣaṇa-dharma), about to be enacted in response to aggression.