Shloka 1

शूर्पणखाविरूपणम्

The Disfigurement of Śūrpaṇakhā

Devanagari script

ततश्शूर्पणखां रामः कामपाशावपाशिताम्।स्वच्छया श्लक्ष्णया वाचा स्मितपूर्वमथाब्रवीत्।।।।

Transliteration

tataś śūrpaṇakhāṃ rāmaḥ kāmapāśāvapāśitām | svacchayā ślakṣṇayā vācā smitapūrvam athābravīt ||

Translation

പിന്നീട് കാമപാശത്തിൽ ദൃഢമായി ബന്ധിതയായ ശൂർപ്പണഖയെ കണ്ട ശ്രീരാമൻ, പുഞ്ചിരിയോടെ, തെളിഞ്ഞും മൃദുവുമായ വാക്കുകളാൽ അവളോട് പറഞ്ഞു.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रम/कालवाचक अव्यय

• śūrpaṇakhām: Surpanakha
• śūrpaṇakhām: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śūrpaṇakhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; व्यक्तिनाम (proper noun)

• rāmaḥ: Rama
• rāmaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• kāmapāśāvapāśitām: ensnared by the noose of desire
• kāmapāśāvapāśitām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kāma-pāśa + ava-pāśita (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘कामपाशेन अवपाशिताम्’ इति तृतीया-तत्पुरुष; क्त-कृदन्त (PPP)

• svacchayā: clear
• svacchayā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: svaccha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (vācā इत्यस्य)

• ślakṣṇayā: gentle/smooth
• ślakṣṇayā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ślakṣṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (vācā इत्यस्य)

• vācā: with words/speech
• vācā: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāc (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• smitapūrvam: smilingly/with a smile beforehand
• smitapūrvam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: smita + pūrva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावसमास; अव्ययवत् क्रियाविशेषणम् (adverbial: ‘with a smile first’)

• atha: then
• atha: Kriyā-sambandha (क्रिया-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तरबोधक अव्यय (then/now)

• abravīt: said
• abravīt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: brū (ब्रू-धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Context

To Surpanakha bound by the noose of passion Rama with a smile replied in a clear, lucid manner:

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Śūrpaṇakhā

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as restraint and civility in speech: even when confronted with improper intent, one replies with clarity and gentleness rather than cruelty.

What is the narrative situation?

After Śūrpaṇakhā becomes infatuated, Rāma begins responding to her—setting the stage for Lakṣmaṇa’s later teasing and her ensuing rage.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s maryādā (measured conduct) and vāg-saṃyama (discipline of speech).