Shloka 22
रावणान्तःपुर-पानभूमि-विचयः
Hanumān’s Survey of Rāvaṇa’s Inner Palace and Banquet Hall
सन्तता शुशुभे भूमिर्माल्यैश्च बहुसंस्थितैः।।5.11.21।।हिरण्मयैश्च विविधैर्भाजनैः स्फाटिकैरपि।जाम्बूनदमयैश्चान्यैः करकैरभिसंवृता।।5.11.22।।
santatā śuśubhe bhūmir mālyaiś ca bahusaṁsthitaiḥ ||5.11.21||
hiraṇmayaiś ca vividhair bhājanaiḥ sphāṭikair api | jāmbūnadamayaiś cānyaiḥ karakaiḥ abhisaṁvṛtā ||5.11.22||
Der Boden, ringsum ausgebreitet, erstrahlte schön durch Girlanden, die auf vielerlei Weise angeordnet waren; und er war bedeckt mit mannigfachen Gefäßen — teils aus Gold, teils aus Kristall — sowie mit anderen Krügen aus geläutertem Gold.
(The banquet hall) appeared beautiful with many kinds of garlands arranged in different locations. Also there were vessels made of pure gold, crystalware and jars spread all over.
FAQs
The passage frames the moral lesson that prosperity (śrī) and ornamentation are ethically neutral; their value depends on alignment with dharma. In Laṅkā’s context, splendor coexists with wrongdoing, sharpening the epic’s moral contrast.
Hanumān observes the lavish decoration and precious vessels spread throughout the banquet area.
Steadfastness: Hanumān is not dazzled by wealth; he continues his search with disciplined attention.