Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 116, Shloka 4
सीतासान्त्वनम् / Hanuman Consoles Sita with the News of Victory
प्रविश्य चपुरींलङ्कांपूज्यमानोनिशाचारै: ।ततस्तेनाभ्युनुज्ञातोहनुमान्वृक्षवाटिकाम् ।।6.116.2।।सम्प्रविश्ययथान्यायंसीतायाद्विितोहरिः ।ददर्शमृजयाहीनांसातङ्कांरोहिणीमिव ।।6.116.3।।वृक्षमूलेनिरानन्दांराक्षसीभिःपरीवृताम् ।निभृतःप्रणतःप्रह्वस्सोऽभिगम्याभिवाद्य च ।।6.116.4।।
praviśya ca purīṃ laṅkāṃ pūjyamāno niśācaraiḥ | tatas tenābhyanujñāto hanumān vṛkṣavāṭikām ||
sampraviśya yathānyāyaṃ sītāyā vidito hariḥ | dadarśa mṛjayā hīnāṃ sātaṅkāṃ rohiṇīm iva ||
vṛkṣamūle nirānandāṃ rākṣasībhiḥ parīvṛtām | nibhṛtaḥ praṇataḥ prahvaḥ so 'bhigamyābhivādya ca ||
Entering the city of Laṅkā—honoured by the rākṣasas—Hanumān, permitted by him (Vibhīṣaṇa), then went to the grove of trees. Entering the garden as was proper, the monkey who was known to Sītā saw her—without cleansing and weakened, fearful, like Rohiṇī. She sat joyless at the foot of a tree, surrounded by rākṣasī women; Hanumān approached, bowed with humility, greeted her, and stood still.
"O gentle one! Your meaningful words full of affection are more valuable than clusters of gems or Indra, the Lord of gods."
FAQs
Maryādā (propriety) and humility: Hanumān enters “as is proper,” approaches respectfully, and greets Sītā with restraint—showing dharmic conduct even in urgent circumstances.
With Vibhīṣaṇa’s permission, Hanumān enters Laṅkā, goes to the grove, finds Sītā in sorrow and captivity, and respectfully salutes her.
Hanumān’s disciplined humility and reverence toward Sītā, alongside compassion for her suffering.