Shloka 3.19.16

खरस्य क्रोधः — शूर्पणखावृत्तान्तकथनम् (Khara’s Wrath and Śūrpaṇakhā’s Report)

Devanagari script

गन्धर्वराजप्रतिमौ पार्थिवव्यञ्जनान्वितौ।देवौ वा मानुषौ वा तौ न तर्कयितुमुत्सहे।।।।

Transliteration

gandharvarāja-pratimau pārthiva-vyañjanānvitau | devau vā mānuṣau vā tau na tarkayitum utsahe ||

Translation

They looked like kings among the Gandharvas, bearing the marks of royalty; I could not venture to judge whether they were gods or men.

Context

They are kings of the gandharvas with all royal insignia. I was not able to discern whether they are gods or humans.

Characters & Entities

• Shurpanakha
• Khara
• Gandharvas

FAQs

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

Intellectual honesty: when knowledge is uncertain, one should not assert false certainty—aligning speech with satya.

What is the narrative situation?

Shurpanakha emphasizes the extraordinary, almost superhuman appearance of the two brothers.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Truthfulness through restraint in claims—admitting uncertainty rather than exaggerating as fact.