Shloka 3.34.15

आरण्यकाण्डे चतुस्त्रिंशः सर्गः — Śūrpaṇakhā Reports to Rāvaṇa; Rāma’s Might and Sītā’s Description

Devanagari script

सा सुकेशी सुनासोरुस्सुरूपा च यशस्विनी।देवतेव वनस्यास्य राजते श्रीरिवापरा।।।।

Transliteration

sā sukeśī sunāsorūs surūpā ca yaśasvinī | devateva vanasyāsya rājate śrīr ivāparā ||

Translation

Lovely-haired, fair-featured, beautiful, and illustrious, she shines in this forest like its presiding goddess—like another Śrī herself.

Context

She is an illustrious lady. She is good-looking with her long hair, well-shaped nose and things. She appears to be the presiding deity of the forest, another goddess of wealth (Laxmi).

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Śrī (Lakṣmī)
• forest (Daṇḍaka context)
• Śūrpaṇakhā
• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

Beauty and auspiciousness are not licenses for possession; dharma requires respecting another’s lawful bonds and inner dignity.

What is the narrative situation?

Śūrpaṇakhā praises Sītā’s radiance to Rāvaṇa, inadvertently fueling his fixation that will culminate in a breach of dharma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s auspicious, dignified presence—presented as inherently radiant rather than merely ornamental.