Shloka 5

शूर्पणखाविरूपणम्

The Disfigurement of Śūrpaṇakhā

Devanagari script

एनं भज विशालाक्षि भर्तारं भ्रातरं मम।असपत्ना वरारोहे मेरुमर्कप्रभा यथा।।।।

Transliteration

enaṃ bhaja viśālākṣi bhartāraṃ bhrātaraṃ mama | asapatnā varārohe merum arkaprabhā yathā ||

Translation

“ഹേ വിശാലാക്ഷി, ഹേ വരാരോഹേ—എന്റെ സഹോദരനെ ഭർത്താവായി സ്വീകരിക്കൂ. സഹപത്നിയില്ലാതെ നീ മേരുപർവതത്തിലെ സൂര്യപ്രഭപോലെ ദീപ്തിയായി ശോഭിക്കും.”

Word by Word

• enam: him
• enam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• bhaja: seek/serve (as husband)
• bhaja: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhaj (भज्-धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• viśālākṣi: O large-eyed one
• viśālākṣi: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśāla + akṣi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि: ‘विशाले अक्षिणी यस्याः सा’

• bhartāram: (as) husband
• bhartāram: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhartṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; apposition to enam

• bhrātaram: brother
• bhrātaram: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhrātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; apposition

• mama: my
• mama: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• asapatnā: without a co-wife
• asapatnā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa/Phala (फल/condition)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a + sapatnī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नञ्-युक्त विशेषण; ‘without a co-wife’

• varārohe: O fair-hipped one
• varārohe: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vara + āroha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि: ‘वरः आरोहः (नितम्ब/उरु-प्रदेशः) यस्याः सा’

• merum: Mount Meru
• merum: Upamāna (उपमान/standard of comparison)
• Type: Noun
• Root: meru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• arkaprabhā: sunlight/sun-radiance
• arkaprabhā: Upameya (उपमेय/thing compared)
• Type: Noun
• Root: arka + prabhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘अर्कस्य प्रभा’

• yathā: like/as
• yathā: Upamā-sūcaka (उपमा-सूचक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमावाचक अव्यय (comparative particle: as/like)

Context

O woman of large eyes and fine hips, my brother is fit for you. You will (with him) shine like the radiant Sun on mount Meru. You will enjoy yourself without a co-wife. You may approach him.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Śūrpaṇakhā
• Meru
• Arka (Sun)

FAQs

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

It underscores marital exclusivity as a desirable order (“without a co-wife”), reflecting a dharmic preference for household harmony and avoidance of rivalry.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma uses flattering imagery to redirect Śūrpaṇakhā toward Lakṣmaṇa, attempting to end her pursuit of him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s strategic restraint—using persuasive, non-violent speech to manage a volatile encounter.