Shloka 19
शूर्पणखाया आगमनम्
Surpanakha Approaches Rama
त्वां तु वेदितुमिच्छामि कस्य त्वं कासि कस्य वा।।।।त्वं हि तावन्मनोज्ञाङ्गी राक्षसी प्रतिभासि मे।
tvāṃ tu veditum icchāmi kasya tvaṃ kāsi kasya vā | tvaṃ hi tāvan manojñāṅgī rākṣasī pratibhāsi me ||
Namun aku ingin mengetahui engkau: milik siapakah engkau, dan siapakah engkau sebenarnya? Walau anggota tubuhmu elok menawan, pada pandanganku engkau tidak tampak sebagai seorang rākṣasī.
On reaching the hermitage, Rama and Lakshmana performed the forenoon rituals and entered the leafthatched cottage.
FAQs
Truth-seeking and discernment: dharma begins with careful inquiry before judgment or engagement.
Rāma questions the unknown woman’s identity and lineage, noting her appearance does not match a typical demoness.
Rāma’s prudence and measured speech—inquiring calmly even in uncertainty.