Shloka 3.18.3

शूर्पणखाविरूपणम् (The Disfigurement of Śūrpaṇakhā)

Devanagari script

अनुजस्त्वेष मे भ्राता शीलवान्प्रियदर्शनः।श्रीमानकृतदारश्च लक्ष्मणो नाम वीर्यवान्।।।।

Transliteration

anujas tveṣa me bhrātā śīlavān priyadarśanaḥ | śrīmān akṛtadāraś ca lakṣmaṇo nāma vīryavān ||

Translation

“This is my younger brother, Lakṣmaṇa by name—well-mannered, pleasing to behold, illustrious, and mighty in valor; and he is unmarried.”

Context

Here is my younger brother Lakshmana. He is a man of good conduct, good look, valiant and virtuous. (Besides) he is not with his wife.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Śūrpaṇakhā

FAQs

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

Rāma uses measured, socially proper speech: he does not accept an improper proposal, and he frames his reply within norms of marital propriety and family order.

What is the narrative situation?

Śūrpaṇakhā has approached Rāma with desire; Rāma responds by pointing to Lakṣmaṇa, describing his qualities and noting that he is unmarried.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s restraint and verbal discipline (maryādā in speech), presenting facts calmly rather than responding with anger or crude rejection.