साभूद्रामाश्रया भूयो नदीवोभयकूलभाक् ॥१२.३५ ॥
Notes: Kālidāsa says, " Lakṣmaṇa did not accept Śūrpanakhā since she had already first declared her love for Śrīrāma. Thus rejected, she went back to Śrīrāma, eventually pleading with the brothers alternately who both tuर्ned her down, appearing like a river leaning on its two banks alternately. "
This episode is full of humour. Here was a Rākṣasī who had never been opposed or resisted by anyone. Perhaps for the first time in her life, instead of violating people and killing them or eating them as was her wont, she had now fallen into irresistible carnal passion at the sight of Śrīrāma... She did not expect to be rejected!
Now Śrīrāma diverts her to his younger and equally handsome brother. But Lakṣmaṇa politely indicates that he was not her first choice. Indeed, Valmīki says that Lakṣmaṇa pleaded about his status of being a servant to Śrīrāma and that she should indeed go for the best. Also once she had accepted Śrīrāma as her man, she should not settle to cohabit with his servant!
There is much humour for the onlooker here but eventually, this episode leads to much bloodshed and anguish. Perhaps the Almighty knew how to script this story better than anyone else!
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जय श्रीराम!
