शूर्पणखाया आगमनम्
Surpanakha Approaches Rama
अनृतं न हि रामस्य कदाचिदपि सम्मतम्।।।।विशेषेणाऽश्रमस्थस्य समीपे स्त्रीजनस्य च।
anṛtaṃ na hi rāmasya kadācid api sammatam | viśeṣeṇāśramasthasya samīpe strījanasya ca ||
Ибо для Рамы ложь никогда не была допустима — особенно при жизни в ашраме, и тем более в присутствии женщин.
O Rama you are wearing matted hair like an ascetic, but living with your wife and holding bow and arrows. What brings you to this place haunted by demons ? You should tell me the truth ?
Satya (truthfulness): untruth is categorically rejected, with heightened moral vigilance in sacred spaces (āśrama) and in socially protected contexts (in the presence of women).
As Rāma is about to answer Śūrpaṇakhā, the narrator explains why he speaks plainly: lying is against his nature and vows.
Rāma’s unwavering commitment to satya as part of maryādā—regulated, principled conduct.