Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 10, Shloka 49

रावणान्तःपुरे शयनदर्शनम्

Hanumān Observes Rāvaṇa’s Inner Apartments and Sleeping Court

Devanagari script

आतोद्यानि विचित्राणि परिष्वज्य वरस्त्रियः।निपीड्य च कुचैस्सुप्ता कामिन्यः कामुकानिव।।।।

Transliteration

ātodyāni vicitrāṇi pariṣvajya vara-striyaḥ |

nipīḍya ca kucaiḥ suptā kāminyaḥ kāmukān iva ||

Translation

Erlesene Frauen schliefen, wunderbare Musikinstrumente umschlungen und an die Brust gedrückt, wie leidenschaftliche Liebende, die den Geliebten umfassen.

Word by Word

• आतोद्यानि: musical instruments
• आतोद्यानि: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आतोद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; "musical instruments"

• विचित्राणि: variegated/wonderful
• विचित्राणि: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विचित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying आतोद्यानि)

• परिष्वज्य: having embraced
• परिष्वज्य: पूर्वकाल (Prior action/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि-स्वज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund), "having embraced"

• वरस्त्रियः: excellent women
• वरस्त्रियः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर + स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः (वराः स्त्रियः), "excellent women"

• निपीड्य: having pressed
• निपीड्य: पूर्वकाल (Prior action/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि-पीड् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund), "having pressed"

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• कुचैः: with their breasts
• कुचैः: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; "with (their) breasts"

• सुप्ता: asleep
• सुप्ता: कर्तृसम्बन्ध (Predicative/कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्वप् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (PPP), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; "slept/were asleep"

• कामिन्यः: passionate women
• कामिन्यः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कामिनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; "passionate women"

• कामुकान्: lovers
• कामुकान्: उपमान (Standard of comparison/उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कामुक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; उपमान (object of comparison)

• इव: as if/like
• इव: सम्बन्ध (Comparator/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा-अव्यय (particle of comparison)

Context

Some charming maidens held wonderful musical instruments pressing against their bosom and slept like passionate women embracing their loved ones.

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma is shown by implication through Hanuman’s restraint: he witnesses luxury and sensuality yet does not deviate from truth-seeking and duty.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanuman surveys sleeping women and the opulent cultural objects around them, still searching for Sita.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfastness (dhṛti): remaining unwavering in a mission despite distractions.