Shloka 25
विंशः सर्गः (Sarga 20): शूर्पणखाप्रेरितराक्षसवधः
The Slaying of the Fourteen Demons Sent by Śūrpaṇakhā
निपातितान् दृश्य रणे तु राक्षसान् प्रधाविता शूर्पणखा पुनस्ततः।वधं च तेषां निखिलेन रक्षसां शशंस सर्वं भगिनी खरस्य सा।।।।
nipātitān dṛśya raṇe tu rākṣasān pradhāvitā śūrpaṇakhā punas tataḥ |
vadhaṃ ca teṣāṃ nikhilena rakṣasāṃ śaśaṃsa sarvaṃ bhaginī kharasya sā ||
Ketika Śūrpaṇakhā melihat para rākṣasa tumbang di medan perang, ia kembali berlari dari sana; lalu kepada Khara, saudaranya, ia menceritakan dengan lengkap pembantaian seluruh rākṣasa itu.
Lakshmana heard him and in turn honoured the word of Rama, knower of the self.
FAQs
Truth-telling can serve dharma or adharma depending on intent: here, accurate reporting is used to incite retaliatory violence, showing how speech (vāc) must be guided by righteousness, not revenge.
Śūrpaṇakhā, after the defeat of the rākṣasas, rushes to Khara and narrates the entire incident, setting up the next escalation.
By contrast, the episode underscores the need for विवेक (discernment) in leadership—Khara must judge rightly rather than be driven by provocation.