KAMBAN'S SOORPANAKHA

Soorpanakha ran into the forest, bleeding and loudly appealing to her kinsfolk: "Oh, brother Khara! Oh, brother Raavana! Oh, Indrajit! Oh, kings of the Raakshasa race! Are you all asleep? A mere man has insulted me and cut off my nose. Do you not hear my lamentations?"

This is Kamban's version of the episode. Soorpanakha approaches and tries to attract Raama, hiding her true form and appearing like a beautiful human girl. This variation is supported in a way by Vaalmeeki's description of Soorpanakha as 'Kaamaroopini,' that is, one able to assume what form she liked.

The Tamil poet appears to have felt something wrong or wanting in Vaalmeeki's story and has woven an episode showing how bestial passion works.

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