Aranya Kaanda
117 - Surpanakha approaches Ravana; Sita enters into the fire leaving Her shadow behind
Chaupais
Description
On hearing this the courtiers rose in great bewilderment; taking her by the arm they lifted her up and comforted her. Said the king of Lanka, "Tell me what has happened to you. Who has struck off your nose and ears?" "Two sons of Dasaratha, the lord of Ayodhya, who are lions among men, are out for hunting in the woods. The estimate that I have formed of their doing is that they will rid the earth of demons. Relying on the might of their arm, O ten-headed Ravana, the hermits roam about the woods without fear. Though quite young to look at, they are terrible as Death, the staunchest of archers and accomplished in many ways. Both brothers are unequalled in might and glory; devoted to the extermination of the wicked, they are a source of delight to gods and sages. The elder of the two who is an abode of beauty, is known by the name of Rama; he has with him a young belle. The Creator made that woman the very embodiment of loveliness; a hundred million Ratis (consorts of the god of love) are trifles before her. It was his younger brother (Laksmana) who chopped off my ears and nose and made a mock of me when he heard that I was your sister. When Khara and Dusana heard of it, they went to avenge the wrong done to me; but Rama slew the whole army in a trice!" The tenheaded demon (Ravana) burned all over (with rage) when he heard of the destruction of Khara, Dusana and Trisira.