Shloka 3.19.17

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

Devanagari script

तरुणी रूपसम्पन्ना सर्वाभरणभूषिता।दृष्टा तत्र मया नारी तयोर्मध्ये सुमध्यमा।।।।

Transliteration

taruṇī rūpasampannā sarvābharaṇa-bhūṣitā | dṛṣṭā tatra mayā nārī tayor madhye su-madhyamā ||

Translation

There I saw a young woman between the two—beautiful, adorned with every ornament, and slender-waisted.

Context

I saw between them a young, beautiful woman of slender waist, adorned with all kinds of jewels.

Characters & Entities

• Shurpanakha
• Khara
• Sita
• Rama
• Lakshmana

FAQs

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

Implicitly, it sets the stage for maryādā: the presence of Sita between the brothers points to protected dignity that ought not be violated.

What is the narrative situation?

Shurpanakha reports seeing Sita with Rama and Lakshmana.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sita’s dignified presence is implied through description; the verse itself is primarily observational.