Shloka 3.32.3
अरण्यकाण्डे द्वात्रिंशः सर्गः — Śūrpaṇakhā’s Report to Rāvaṇa and the Panegyric of His Might
सा दृष्ट्वा कर्म रामस्य कृतमन्यैस्सुदुष्करम्।जगाम परमोद्विग्ना लङ्कां रावणपालिताम्।।।।
sā dadarśa vimānāgre rāvaṇaṃ dīptatejasam | upopaviṣṭaṃ sacivair marudbhir iva vāsavam ||
She beheld Rāvaṇa blazing with splendor, seated upon the foremost part of his aerial car, surrounded by ministers—like Vāsava (Indra) amid the Maruts.
Seeing the performance of Rama which is very difficult for others, Surpanakha got scared and went to Lanka, ruled by Ravana.
The verse cautions that outward splendor and royal-like majesty are not proof of dharma. Ethical discernment requires looking beyond power and display.
Śūrpaṇakhā arrives in Laṅkā and sees Rāvaṇa enthroned in brilliance, attended by his counselors.
No virtue is praised directly; rather, the scene emphasizes political power and grandeur, setting the stage for how such power can be misused when ungoverned by dharma.