Aranya Kanda
Narration
Today begins the seventeenth session.
The story is about Shurpanakha’s arrival at Shri Ram’s hermitage — her meeting with him, introducing herself, and asking him to accept her as his wife.
After spending time by the Godavari riverbank, Shri Ram, Lakshman, and Sita returned to their hermitage.
There, along with Lakshman, Shri Ram completed his morning rituals, the sacred offerings, and worship. Then both brothers came to the hut and lived happily with Sita.
Great sages and seers often visited them and were warmly received.
In the small forest dwelling, Shri Ram sat with Sita, shining like the full moon beside the star Chitra.
He and his brother Lakshman often spent time in gentle conversation.
While Shri Ram was talking with Lakshman one day, a demoness suddenly appeared at that place.
She was Shurpanakha, the sister of the ten-headed demon king Ravana.
When she arrived, she saw Shri Ram — beautiful like a god. His face was radiant, his arms strong and broad, his eyes wide and bright like lotus petals. He walked gracefully, like an elephant. His hair was tied in matted locks upon his head.
He was tender yet powerful, royal in appearance, and his dark complexion shone like a blue lotus. His beauty equaled that of Kamadeva, and his brilliance that of Indra himself.
The moment Shurpanakha beheld him, she was overcome with desire.
But the contrast between them was striking.
Shri Ram’s face was beautiful and serene, while hers was ugly and distorted.
His waist and stomach were slender and well-formed; hers were bloated and heavy.
His eyes were large and lovely; hers were fierce and frightening.
His hair was smooth and dark; hers was red like copper.
He was sweet-spoken; she had a harsh, terrible voice.
He was gentle, youthful, and noble; she was cruel and ancient, a thousand years old.
He was pure and righteous; she was wicked and deceitful.
He inspired love; she inspired disgust.
Still, filled with lust, the demoness assumed a pleasing form and approached him.
She said:
“O holy man, with matted hair upon your head, a woman by your side, and a bow and arrows in hand — how have you come into this land of demons? What is the purpose of your visit? Tell me truly!”
Hearing her words, Shri Ram — ever simple and kind — replied gently:
“O lady, there once was a great and powerful king named Dasharatha, equal in might to the gods. I am his eldest son, known among men as Ram.
This is my younger brother Lakshman, who ever serves me faithfully, and this is my wife, Sita — daughter of King Janaka, renowned for her virtue.
By the command of my father, King Dasharatha, and my mother Kaikeyi, I have come to this forest to live in exile, protecting righteousness.
Now tell me about yourself — who are you, whose daughter and wife, and why have you come here?”
Hearing this, the lustful demoness replied:
“O Shri Ram, I shall tell you everything truthfully. My name is Shurpanakha, and I can assume any form I desire.
I wander alone through this forest, striking fear into all beings. My brother’s name is Ravana — you must have heard of him — the mighty son of sage Vishrava. My second brother is Kumbhakarna, known for his endless sleep. My third brother is Vibhishana, righteous in nature and unwilling to follow the ways of demons.
Khara and Dushana, famous for their valor in battle, are also my brothers.
Yet, O Ram, in strength and power, I surpass them all.
From the moment I first saw you, my heart has become yours.
Never before, not even among the gods, have I seen such beauty.
Therefore, I have come to you with love in my heart, wishing to have you as my husband.
What will you do with this frail woman, Sita? She is plain and unworthy of you.
I alone am fit to be your wife. Accept me as yours.
To me, she appears ugly, low-born, and human. I shall devour her along with your brother, and then, free from her presence, you and I shall roam these woods together, delighting in their beauty.”
Hearing her words, Shri Ram — the noble scion of Raghu — laughed heartily. Then, smiling softly, he said:
“O gracious lady, I am already married, and this is my beloved wife. For a woman like you, sharing a husband would surely be unbearable.
But look — here is my younger brother, Lakshman. He is handsome, virtuous, and strong, and he has no wife. If he wishes, he may be your husband.
As the sun’s rays rest upon Mount Meru, so may you rest by his side, free from the fear of a co-wife.”
Hearing this, the love-struck Shurpanakha left Shri Ram and went straight to Lakshman.
She said, “Lakshman, only I am worthy of your handsome form. Accept me as your wife, and together we shall wander joyfully through Dandaka forest.”
Lakshman, skilled in speech, smiled and replied,
“O fair one with eyes like lotus petals, I am merely a servant, bound to obey my elder brother Shri Ram. Why would you wish to become the wife of a servant and live as a maid?
My brother possesses all power and prosperity. Become his second wife — your every desire will be fulfilled. He will gladly accept you, abandoning his old, weak, and unattractive wife for one as beautiful as you.
Tell me, what wise man would forsake a radiant beauty like you for an ordinary human woman?”
But the foolish demoness failed to grasp the jest.
Taking Lakshman’s words as truth, she returned to Shri Ram, who sat in the hut with Sita.
Blinded by lust and anger, she said:
“O Ram, you show no regard for me because of this ugly, low-born, hollow-bellied mortal woman!
Before your eyes, I shall devour her and, once she is gone, we shall live together happily.”
With eyes blazing like fire, Shurpanakha rushed toward Sita — like a blazing meteor falling upon the star Rohini.
Shri Ram stopped her with a thunderous roar and, angry, said to Lakshman:
“O son of Sumitra! One should never jest with the wicked, for see — Sita’s life was nearly lost!
Now, lion among men, disfigure this vile, shameless, long-bellied demoness as she deserves.”
Hearing his brother’s command, Lakshman, filled with rage, drew his sword before their eyes and cut off Shurpanakha’s nose and ears.
Howling terribly, the mutilated demoness fled into the forest, her face drenched in blood.
Her screams echoed through the woods like thunderclouds in the rainy season.
Lifting her bleeding arms, she roared again and again as she ran.
At last, she reached the abode of her brother Khara — surrounded by fearsome demons — and collapsed to the ground like lightning falling from the sky.
Covered in blood and trembling, she told him everything:
about Ram, Lakshman, and Sita’s arrival in the forest, and about how she had been disfigured.
Thus ends the eighteenth session.