Shloka 3.19.3

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

Devanagari script

कः कृष्णसर्पमासीनमाशीविषमनागसम्।तुदत्यभिसमापन्नमङ्गुल्यग्रेण लीलया।।।।

Transliteration

tau hatvā tāṃ ca durvṛttām apāvartitum arhatha | iyaṃ ca rudhiraṃ teṣāṃ bhaginī mama pāsyati ||

Translation

Slay those two—and that wicked woman as well—and then return. This sister of mine will drink their blood.

Context

Who will hurt an innocent, venomous black serpent and stay away quietly close by for fun with his finger tip?

Characters & Entities

• Khara
• Śūrpaṇakhā (as 'my sister')
• Rāma (implied)
• Lakṣmaṇa (implied)
• Sītā (targeted as 'durvṛttā' per rākṣasa framing)
• Rākṣasas

FAQs

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

The verse illustrates adharma: slander of the innocent and the pursuit of revenge. It indirectly teaches that dharma rejects vengeance and harm to the blameless.

What is the narrative situation?

Khara instructs his rākṣasas to kill Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa, and Sītā, promising Śūrpaṇakhā the gruesome satisfaction of revenge.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast, the implied virtue is compassion and truthfulness—opposed to Khara’s cruelty and false labeling.