Shloka 3.21.18
खर-शूर्पणखा-संवादः | Khara and Surpanakha: Lament, Reproach, and the Janasthana Crisis
रामेण यदि ते शक्तिस्तेजो वास्ति निशाचर।।।।दण्डकारण्यनिलयं जहि तं कुलपांसन।
rāmeṇa yadi te śaktis tejo vāsti niśācara | daṇḍakāraṇyanilayaṁ jahi taṁ kulapāṁsana ||
O night-roamer, disgrace to your lineage, if you possess strength or splendor against Rama, then slay him who dwells in the Dandaka forest.
O demon ! you are a disgrace to the family. If you have power or energy, kill that Rama dwelling in Dandaka forest.
It showcases adharma: urging killing as proof of worth. The Ramayana’s dharmic frame rejects violence motivated by insult and vengeance rather than justice.
Śūrpaṇakhā continues to provoke Khara, directing him toward Rama in the Daṇḍaka forest and challenging his strength.
The text contrasts true tejas (righteous splendor) with destructive rage; genuine strength is implied to be aligned with dharma, not provocation.