Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 3, Shloka 20

तृतीयः सर्गः (Bālakāṇḍa 3): Vālmīki’s Yogic Verification and the Epic Synopsis

Devanagari script

शूर्पणख्याश्च संवादं विरूपकरणं तथा ।वधं खरत्रिशिरसोरुत्थानं रावणस्य च ।।।।

Transliteration

śūrpaṇakhyāś ca saṃvādaṃ virūpakaraṇaṃ tathā | vadhaṃ khara-triśirasor utthānaṃ rāvaṇasya ca ||

Translation

Il raconta aussi l’entretien de Rāma avec Śūrpaṇakhā, sa mutilation infamante, la mise à mort de Khara et de Triśiras, et comment alors Rāvaṇa se dressa pour commencer son entreprise d’hostilité.

Word by Word

• शूर्पणख्याः: of Śūrpaṇakhā
• शूर्पणख्याः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूर्पणखा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन (Feminine, Genitive, Singular)

• च: and
• च: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

• संवादम्: dialogue; conversation
• संवादम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संवाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (Masculine, Accusative, Singular)

• विरूप-करणम्: disfigurement
• विरूप-करणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विरूप (प्रातिपदिक) + करण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (Neuter, Nom/Acc, Singular); तत्पुरुषः (making ugly/disfigurement)

• तथा: also; and
• तथा: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (conj./adverb)

• वधम्: slaying
• वधम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (Masculine, Accusative, Singular)

• खर-त्रिशिरसोः: of Khara and Triśiras
• खर-त्रिशिरसोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खर (प्रातिपदिक) + त्रिशिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, द्विवचन (Masculine, Genitive, Dual); द्वन्द्व-समासः (Khara and Triśiras)

• उत्थानम्: rise; setting forth (of efforts)
• उत्थानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उत्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (Neuter, Nom/Acc, Singular)

• रावणस्य: of Rāvaṇa
• रावणस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रावण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन (Masculine, Genitive, Singular)

• च: and
• च: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

Context

(He described) Rama's dialogue with Surpanakha, her disfigurement, the slaughter of Khara and Trisira, and the beginning of efforts by Ravana (to harm Rama).

Characters & Entities

• Śūrpaṇakhā
• Rāma
• Khara
• Triśiras
• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

Unrestrained desire and aggression (adharma) trigger escalating harm; righteous conduct requires restraint, clarity of boundaries, and proportionate response, since actions set in motion further consequences.

What is the narrative situation?

Nārada summarizes key turning points: the Śūrpaṇakhā episode, the ensuing conflict with Khara and Triśiras, and Rāvaṇa’s decision to actively pursue enmity against Rāma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s adherence to maryādā (proper boundaries and duty) is implied as the stabilizing force amid provocation, contrasted with Rāvaṇa’s impulsive rise driven by passion and vengeance.