¹ Lakṣmaṇa is using the same words that Śūrpaṇakhā used, but in jest and to actually mean something else. His choice of words in texts 9-12 is noteworthy and reveals His brilliance in speech. These texts can be read in two ways. The intelligent commentator reveals the factual intent of Lakṣmaṇa in the commentary (while we have presented the superficial meaning of His statements in the translation). Apart from that, it can be noted that the adjectives applied to Mother Sītā in this verse have alternate meanings. Virūpām indicates that Sītā-devī was especially beautiful, indeed, the most beautiful woman in the three worlds. Asatīm indicates that there is no woman to compete with her in chastity since she is supremely fixed in her vows to serve her husband. Karālām indicates that she was [sufficiently] tall, that is, she wasn’t too short for Rāma. Nirṇatodarīm indicates that she was slender-waisted. Vṛddhām indicates that she was mature in knowledge, character and in the possession of auspicious qualities. Technical note: prātītiko ’rthaḥ spaṣṭaḥ. vastutas tu virūpāṁ viśeṣa-rūpāṁ tri-loka-sundarīm ity arthaḥ. asatīṁ na vidyate anyā satī yasyāḥ sā asatī, parama-pati-vratā tām ity arthaḥ. karālām unnatām. “karālo danture tuṅge taruṇe’pi ca kathyate” iti nighaṇṭuḥ. nirṇatodarīṁ nirṇataṁ nimnam udaraṁ yasyāḥ sā tām, tanu-madhyām ity arthaḥ. vṛddhāṁ jñāna-śīla-guṇa-vṛddhām ity arthaḥ.