Shloka 15
आरण्यकाण्डे चतुस्त्रिंशः सर्गः
Śūrpaṇakhā Reports to Rāvaṇa; Rāma’s Might and Sītā’s Description
सा सुकेशी सुनासोरुस्सुरूपा च यशस्विनी।देवतेव वनस्यास्य राजते श्रीरिवापरा।।।।
sā sukeśī sunāsorūs surūpā ca yaśasvinī | devateva vanasyāsya rājate śrīr ivāparā ||
Siya’y may magandang buhok, maayos ang ilong at mga hita, marikit at tanyag; sa gubat na ito’y nagniningning siyang tila diyosang tagapangalaga—parang isa pang Śrī.
She is an illustrious lady. She is good-looking with her long hair, well-shaped nose and things. She appears to be the presiding deity of the forest, another goddess of wealth (Laxmi).
FAQs
Beauty and auspiciousness are not licenses for possession; dharma requires respecting another’s lawful bonds and inner dignity.
Śūrpaṇakhā praises Sītā’s radiance to Rāvaṇa, inadvertently fueling his fixation that will culminate in a breach of dharma.
Sītā’s auspicious, dignified presence—presented as inherently radiant rather than merely ornamental.