Shloka 3.18.4
शूर्पणखाविरूपणम् (The Disfigurement of Śūrpaṇakhā)
अपूर्वी भार्यया चार्थी तरुणः प्रियदर्शनः।अनुरूपश्च ते भर्ता रूपस्यास्य भविष्यति।।।।
apūrvī bhāryayā cārthī taruṇaḥ priyadarśanaḥ | anurūpaś ca te bhartā rūpasyāsya bhaviṣyati ||
“He is not accompanied by a wife and seeks one; he is young and handsome. He will indeed be a husband well-suited to you and to your beauty.”
He is not with his wife, and is in need of one. He is young, handsome and worthy. He will be an appropriate husband to you.
The verse reflects social dharma concerning marriage—directing desire toward a socially permissible match rather than violating existing marital boundaries.
Rāma continues redirecting Śūrpaṇakhā’s proposal away from himself toward Lakṣmaṇa, presenting him as an appropriate match.
Rāma’s composure and practicality, attempting to defuse a dangerous situation through controlled speech.