What is surpnakha?

Surpanakha is a character in the Indian epic, Ramayana. She was the sister of Ravana, the king of Lanka. Surpanakha was known for her beauty and was infatuated with Rama, the hero of the Ramayana. She tried to seduce him, but he rejected her advances, stating that he was already married to Sita.

Angered by Rama's rejection, Surpanakha attacked Sita, leading to a battle between Rama and Ravana, which resulted in Ravana's defeat and death. In some versions of the Ramayana, Surpanakha's nose was cut off during the battle, and she is therefore sometimes referred to as "Nasika" or "the one with the broken nose."

Surpanakha's character has been interpreted in various ways over the years. Some see her as a victim of unrequited love, while others view her as a villain who instigated the events that led to the Ramayana's climax. Regardless, Surpanakha remains a prominent figure in Indian mythology and continues to be studied and analyzed by scholars and enthusiasts alike.