Shloka 3.21.15

खर-शूर्पणखा-संवादः | Khara and Surpanakha: Lament, Reproach, and the Janasthana Crisis

Devanagari script

यदि रामं ममामित्रं न त्वमद्यवधिष्यसि।।।।तवैव चाग्रतः प्राणांस्त्यक्षामि निरपत्रप।

Transliteration

yadi rāmaṁ mamāmitraṁ na tvam adya vadhiṣyasi | tavaiva cāgrataḥ prāṇāṁs tyakṣyāmi nirapatrapa ||

Translation

If you do not kill Rama—my enemy—today, then, shameless one, I will give up my life right before you.

Context

If now you do not kill that Rama, my enemy, O shameless one, I will give up my life in your very presence.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Śūrpaṇakhā
• Khara

FAQs

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

The verse highlights an adharma-driven impulse: coercion through emotional blackmail and a demand for unjust violence. Dharma is implied by contrast—righteous action cannot be compelled by threats or personal vengeance.

What is the narrative situation?

After being disfigured, Śūrpaṇakhā confronts Khara and pressures him to kill Rama immediately, threatening suicide if he refuses.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The verse primarily displays the absence of virtue—loss of self-control and truth-aligned judgment—showing how anger and humiliation can drive manipulative, unrighteous speech.