As Rama intervened to save Seeta, he told Lakshmana to punish Shurpanakha and teach her a lesson. In a flash, Lakshmana had drawn his sword and attacked her, cutting off her ears and nose. Howling with pain, screaming abuse, and threatening revenge, Shurpanakha fled into the forest. She found her brother, Khara, with his cronies and poured out her story. Khara was confused and made her sit down and tell him all the details carefully. She told him that Rama and Lakshmana, the sons of the King of Ayodhya, dressed like ascetics, had mutilated her by cutting off her ears and nose. “And all because of that insect who is Rama’s wife, Seeta! Kill them!” screamed Shurpanakha. Khara immediately sent his fourteen generals with their army of demons under Dooshana to kill the two men and drag the woman to his presence.
Punishing Shurpanakha
