Analysing Hindu Mythology - I [Bhagwan Ram]

I was just reading 'Aranya Kand' from Valmiki Ramayan.

The mythological text "Ramayan" is a sacred Hindu text. Bhagwan Ram, the central character of this mythological text, has a mindboggling following in India. He is considered to be God.

Ram is considered to be the 'ideal human being, epitome of mercy, justice and compassion' by 100s of millions of Hindus.

In Aranya Kand, Ram and his brother Lakshman are accosted by a demoness in Panchavati forest. She has has fallen in love with Ram and wants to marry him.

Ram and Laxman have an argument with her, after which she loses her temper and tries to attack Ram's wife Sita.

At this point, Ram instructs Lakshman to CHOP OFF SHURPANAKHA'S EARS & NOSE.

इमाम् विरूपाम् असतीम् अतिमत्ताम् महोदरीम् |
राक्षसीम् पुरुषव्याघ्र विरूपयितुम् अर्हसि || ३-१८-२०

"She is freakish, knavish and overtly ruttish, oh, tigerly man, it will be apt of you to deface this paunchy demoness " Thus Rama said to Lakshmana. [3-18-20]


Here are the verses from Valmiki Ramayan that describe Shurpanakha's injury.

इति उक्तो लक्ष्मणः तस्याः क्रुद्धो रामस्य पश्यतः | उद्धृत्य खड्गम् चिच्छ्हेद कर्ण नासम् महाबलः || ३-१८-२१ Thus said to that mighty Lakshmana he infuriately drew sword and chopped off her ears and nose before the very eyes of Rama. [3-18-21] निकृत्त कर्ण नासा तु विस्वरम् सा विनद्य च | यथा आगतम् प्रदुद्राव घोरा शूर्पणखा वनम् || ३-१८-२२ On hewing off her ears and nose she that ghastly Shuurpanakha blared highly and discordantly, and very speedily fled into forest as she came. [3-18-22] सा विरूपा महाघोरा राक्षसी शोणित उक्षिता | ननाद विविधान् नादान् यथा प्रावृषि तोयदः || ३-१८-२३ She that very ghastly demoness when defaced is wetted by blood and blared many a blare like a cloud in cloudburst. [3-18-23] सा विक्षरंती रुधिरम् बहुधा घोर दर्शना | प्रगृह्य बाहू गर्जन्ती प्रविवेश महावनम् || ३-१८-२४ She that gruesome one in her appearance clasped herself and thunderously entered similarly gruesome forest while her blood fountained and profusely exuded. [3-18-24]

Image source:Columbia.EDU