Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 14, Shloka 43
अशोकवनिकाविचारः
Survey of the Aśoka Grove and its Enchanted Landscape
अशोकवनिका चेयं दृढं रम्या दुरात्मनः।चम्पकैश्चन्दनैश्चापि वकुलैश्च विभूषिता।।।।
aśokavanikā ceyaṃ dṛḍhaṃ ramyā durātmanaḥ | campakaiś candanaiś cāpi vakulaiś ca vibhūṣitā ||
«إن هذه الأَشوكَفانيكا لَجَميلةٌ حقًّا—مُزَيَّنةٌ بأشجار التشامباكا والصندل والفاكولا—غير أنها ملكٌ لذاك الخبيث (رافانا).»
"Surely this beautiful Ashoka grove with delightful champak, chandan and bakula trees belongs to the wicked Ravana."
FAQs
Dharma distinguishes inner moral worth from outward splendor: even a lovely place can be tied to adharma when possessed or used by a wicked ruler.
Hanumān recognizes the grove’s beauty and concludes it is part of Rāvaṇa’s domain within Laṅkā.
Moral discernment: Hanumān does not get captivated by beauty; he assesses ownership and ethical context.