Description and biography Shurpanakha

shurpanakha after nose cut lakshmana.

valmiki describes shurpanakha time of ramayana s events ugly (ghora mukhi):

pot bellied
cross-eyed
thinning, brown hair
a grating voice harsh on ears.
oversized breasts; can translated mean heart full of wickedness.

the youngest child of rishi vishrava , second wife, kaikesi, shurpanakha (the 1 lethal , long nails) given name of mīnakshi dīksha @ birth, , called chandranakha (the 1 nails moon). beautiful mother kaikesi , grandmother ketumati had been before her, shurpanakha grew , secretly married danava prince of kalkeya danava clan, vidyutjihva. ravana became enraged shurpanakha marrying danava. danavas mortal enemies of rakshasas, , punish her, mandodari convinced him respect wishes of sister. ravana accepted shupanakha, husband , danavas relatives officially.

at time of conquering rasatala (the underworld), brother, ravana decided visit newly married sister, discovered vidyutjihva s true motive marry shurpanakha – kill ravana. in shurpanakha s absence, vidyutjihva attacked ravana, in self-defense killed brother-in-law. earned ravana hurt , miserable sister s great displeasure, , widowed shurpanakha split time between lanka , woods of southern india, living forest-dwelling asura relatives, khara , dushana, on ravana s orders. had conceived son vidyutjihva known shambhri accidentally killed lakshmana.

according valmiki, met exiled prince rama of ayodhya, during 1 such visit forest of panchavati, , instantly smitten youthful looks. rama meanwhile spurned advances, telling faithful wife sita , never take wife. rejected, shurpanakha approached younger brother, lakshmana, reacted in similar manner , said not desired in wife. seeing brothers making fun of her, humiliated , envious shurpanakha attacked sita thwarted lakshmana, cut off nose , sent lanka.

shurpanakha first went brother khara, sent 7 rakshasa warriors attack rama, dispatched them. khara himself attacked, along 14,000 soldiers, of whom killed except akampan, sumali s son , kaikesi s brother, fled lanka. went straight ravana s court , enticed brother abduct , wed sita extolling virtues , beauty.akampan played key role in instigating, ravana.despite opposition brother, vibhishana, ravana kidnapped sita, triggering battle of lanka.

although shurpanakha receives no further mention valmiki, has been suggested continued live in lanka after vibhishana succeeded ravana king. , half-sister kumbini supposed have perished @ sea few years later.