O best of men, listen to the wondrous origins of the creatures of the world. All the deer were born of Mṛgī, while the bears sprang from Mṛgamandā, and likewise from Sṛmarā and Camarā. Then Bhadramadā gave birth to a daughter named Irāvatī, whose son was Airāvata, the great elephant and lord of the world. From Harī came the monkeys and the ascetic vanaras, and from Śārdūlī were born the tailed langurs and the fierce tigers. Mātaṅgī gave birth to the elephants, while Śvetā brought forth the elephant of the quarters. Surabhī, blessed among beings, bore two daughters: Rohiṇī and the illustrious Gandharvī. Rohiṇī became the mother of cows, and Gandharvī gave birth to horses. Surasā brought forth the serpents, and Kadrū was the mother of the nāgas. From the great-souled Kaśyapa and Manu came the race of humans—Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras. Tradition tells that the Brāhmaṇas were born from his mouth, the Kṣatriyas from his chest, the Vaiśyas from his thighs, and the Śūdras from his feet. Anala gave birth to all the trees bearing virtuous fruits. Vinatā, the granddaughter of Śukī, and Kadrū, the sister of Surasā, were also mothers of wondrous beings. Kadrū bore a thousand serpents, the nāgas who support the earth, and Vinatā had two sons: Garuḍa and Aruṇa. From Aruṇa was I born, and Sampāti is my elder brother; know me as Jaṭāyu, son of Śyenī. If you wish, I will dwell here as your companion, for this forest is a perilous place, haunted by beasts and rākṣasas. Dear Rāma, when you must leave with Lakṣmaṇa, I will protect Sītā. Rāghava, hearing these words, honored Jaṭāyu, joyfully embraced him, and bowed, remembering the friendship their families shared as told by his father. There, Rāma entrusted Sītā, the princess of Mithilā, to the mighty bird Jaṭāyu, and with Lakṣmaṇa, set out for Pañcavaṭī, eager to destroy his enemies as fire consumes moths. Now, let the seventeenth sarga be heard. Rāma, having completed his morning ablutions with Sītā and Saumitri, left the bank of the Godāvarī and returned to his hermitage. Together with Lakṣmaṇa, he approached the hut, performed the morning rituals, and entered the leaf-thatched dwelling. There, honored by the great sages, Rāma dwelt happily, sitting with Sītā in the hut. The mighty-armed Rāma shone like the moon adorned with gentle patterns, and with his brother Lakṣmaṇa, he engaged in pleasant conversation. As Rāma sat, absorbed in stories, a rākṣasī happened by chance to arrive. Her name was Śūrpaṇakhā, the sister of the rākṣasa Daśagrīva. Approaching, she beheld Rāma—his radiance like a celestial's, his face shining, his arms mighty, eyes long as lotus petals, gait like an elephant, and his matted locks arranged in a circle. She saw him, gentle yet strong, marked with royal signs, dark as a blue lotus, shining like Kāma himself. Seeing Rāma, who resembled Indra, the rākṣasī, overwhelmed by desire, gazed at his handsome form, though she herself was ugly, her broad waist contrasting with her large belly. Her eyes were distorted, his were wide and beautiful; her hair was coppery, his lovely; her appearance frightening, his pleasing; though her voice could be sweet, it was also terrifying. She was old yet seemed youthful, fierce yet spoke gently, wicked in conduct while he was righteous, unpleasant to behold while he was fair. Possessed by passion, the rākṣasī addressed Rāma: "You, with matted hair and dressed as an ascetic, with your wife, bearing bow and arrows—why have you come to this land, inhabited by rākṣasas? What is your purpose here? Speak the truth." Thus questioned by Śūrpaṇakhā, the tormentor of foes, Rāma replied honestly: "There was a king named Daśaratha, whose valor rivaled the gods. I am his eldest son, known among people as Rāma. This is my younger brother, Lakṣmaṇa, devoted to me, and this is my wife, the famed Vaidehī, known as Sītā." "But I wish to know about you—whose are you, who are you, and to whom do you belong? You appear to me as a rākṣasī, though with a most attractive form. Why have you come here? Speak truthfully." Hearing these words, Śūrpaṇakhā, tormented by desire, replied: "Listen, Rāma, I will tell you the truth. I am a rākṣasī named Śūrpaṇakhā, able to assume any form at will. I wander alone in this forest, terrifying to all. Rāvaṇa is my brother—you may have heard of him. He is a hero, son of Viśravas. There is also Kumbhakarṇa, ever given to deep sleep, of great might. Vibhīṣaṇa, too, is righteous and does not act like a rākṣasa. My brothers Khara and Dūṣaṇa are renowned for their valor in battle. Having left them behind, Rāma, and seeing you for the first time, I have come to you, drawn by feeling, seeking the best of men as my husband. I am endowed with power, moving freely by my own strength. Be my husband for a long time—what will you do with Sītā? She is deformed and ugly, not a match for you. I alone am suited to be your wife—look upon me in that form.