Shloka 3.32.24
अरण्यकाण्डे द्वात्रिंशः सर्गः — Śūrpaṇakhā’s Report to Rāvaṇa and the Panegyric of His Might
राक्षसेन्द्रं महाभागं पौलस्त्यकुलनन्दनम्। 3.32.23।।रावणं शत्रुहन्तारं मन्त्रिभिः परिवारितम्।अभिगम्याब्रवीद्वाक्यं राक्षसी भयविह्वला।।3.32.24।।
rāvaṇaṃ śatruhantāraṃ mantribhiḥ parivāritam |
abhigamyābravīd vākyaṃ rākṣasī bhayavihvalā ||3.32.24||
Approaching Rāvaṇa—the destroyer of enemies—surrounded by his ministers, the rākṣasī, shaken with fear, spoke these words.
On reaching Ravana, the lord of demons, the delight of the Paulastya dynasty, and the destroyer of enemies surrounded by ministers, the terrified, Surpanakha said these words:
The verse explicitly calls her bhaya-vihvalā—overwhelmed by fear—showing that her report to Rāvaṇa arises from panic and injury rather than calm discernment. Ethically, it foreshadows how fear and wounded pride can distort judgment and become a catalyst for adharma (unrighteous action).
Rāvaṇa is shown in a formal courtly setting with counsellors, implying that counsel and deliberation are available. In dharma, power should be guided by truthful information (satya) and wise advice; the narrative tension is that even with ministers present, a ruler may choose to act from passion and ego rather than truth-aligned, righteous restraint.