Shloka 3.20.4

विंशः सर्गः (Sarga 20): शूर्पणखाप्रेरितराक्षसवधः — The Slaying of the Fourteen Demons Sent by Śūrpaṇakhā

Devanagari script

मुहूर्तं भव सौमित्रे सीतायाः प्रत्यनन्तरः।इमानस्या वधिष्यामि पदवीमागतानिह।।।।

Transliteration

bhrātuḥ samīpe śokārtā sasarja ninadaṃ muhuḥ |

sasvaraṃ mumuce bāṣpaṃ viṣaṇṇavadanā tadā ||

Translation

Then, near her brother, stricken with grief, she raised loud cries again and again; with a downcast face she shed tears with audible sobbing.

Context

O Lakshmana ! stand by Sita for a while. I shall kill these demons who have come here.

Characters & Entities

• Śūrpaṇakhā
• Khara

FAQs

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

Grief without moral reflection can become a pretext for further wrongdoing; dharma requires that suffering be met with discernment rather than vengeance.

What is the narrative situation?

Śūrpaṇakhā laments loudly before Khara, using tears and cries to provoke a response.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The scene highlights emotional manipulation and lack of composure—implicitly praising steadiness and truth-oriented judgment.