Shloka 21
शूर्पणखाया आगमनम्
Surpanakha Approaches Rama
श्रूयतां राम वक्ष्यामि तत्त्वार्थं वचनं मम। ।।अहं शूर्पणखा नाम राक्षसी कामरूपिणी।अरण्यं विचरामीदमेका सर्वभयङ्करा।।।।
śrūyatāṃ rāma vakṣyāmi tattvārthaṃ vacanaṃ mama | ahaṃ śūrpaṇakhā nāma rākṣasī kāmarūpiṇī ||
ರಾಮಾ, ಕೇಳು; ನನ್ನ ಮಾತಿನ ತತ್ತ್ವಾರ್ಥವನ್ನು ಹೇಳುತ್ತೇನೆ. ನಾನು ಶೂರ್ಪಣಖಾ ಎಂಬ ಹೆಸರಿನ, ಇಚ್ಛೆಯಂತೆ ರೂಪ ಧರಿಸುವ ಕಾಮರೂಪಿಣಿ ರಾಕ್ಷಸಿ.
My name is Surpanakha. I am a demoness who can assume any form at will, I move in this forest alone, unleashing a reign of terror.
FAQs
Truthful self-disclosure (satya) is presented as the proper response to rightful questioning—even when one’s nature is dangerous.
Śūrpaṇakhā identifies herself and reveals her power of shape-shifting.
Directness in speech (though not necessarily moral goodness), framed as stating facts plainly.