Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 14, Shloka 30
अशोकवनिकाविचारः
Survey of the Aśoka Grove and its Enchanted Landscape
ददर्श च नगात्तस्मान्नदीं निपतितां कपिः।अङ्कादिव समुत्पत्य प्रियस्य पतितां प्रियाम्।।5.14.29।।जले निपतिताग्रैश्च पादपैरुपशोभिताम्।वार्यमाणामिव क्रुद्धां प्रमदां प्रियबन्धुभिः।।5.14.30।।पुनरावृत्ततोयां च ददर्श स महाकपिः।प्रसन्नामिव कान्तस्य कान्तां पुनरुपस्थिताम्।।5.14.31।।
jale nipatitāgraiś ca pādapair upaśobhitām |
vāryamāṇām iva kruddhāṃ pramadāṃ priyabandhubhiḥ ||5.14.30||
He saw it adorned by trees whose tips bent down into the water—like an angry woman being held back by her dear relatives as she tries to depart.
The tiger among monkeys beheld a delightingful mountain, resembling the raincloud with tall, pleasing peaks, wonderful peaks spread all over the mountain. There were caves built of stone, with a variety of trees.
FAQs
The verse uses a restraint simile: even strong impulses can be checked by those who care. In Ramayana ethics, restraint (saṃyama) supports Satya and Dharma—guiding emotion so that action remains appropriate and righteous.
Hanuman watches a stream descending from the mountain; trees leaning into the water create a visual metaphor of someone being held back while trying to move away.
Reflective perception: Hanuman (and the narration) reads moral-emotional meaning into nature, showing cultivated sensitivity without abandoning practical purpose.