Shloka 5

रावणान्तःपुर-पानभूमि-विचयः

Hanumān’s Survey of Rāvaṇa’s Inner Palace and Banquet Hall

Devanagari script

मुरजेषु मृदङ्गेषु पीठिकासु च संस्थिताः।।5.11.5।।तथाऽऽस्तरणमुख्येषु संविष्टाश्चापराः स्त्रियः।

Transliteration

murajeṣu mṛdaṅgeṣu pīṭhikāsu ca saṃsthitāḥ || 5.11.5 ||

tathā ’staraṇamukhyeṣu saṃviṣṭāś cāparāḥ striyaḥ |

Translation

Einige Frauen ruhten auf Muraja-Trommeln, auf Mṛdaṅga-Trommeln und auf niedrigen Schemelchen; andere lagen auf vorzüglichen Lagern und feiner Bettstatt.

Word by Word

murajeṣuon muraja-drums

mṛdaṅgeṣuon mṛdaṅga-drums

pīṭhikāsuon stools/benches

caand

saṅsthitāḥresting/placed

tathālikewise

āstaraṇa-mukhyeṣuon the best beddings

saṅviṣṭāḥreclining

caand

aparāḥothers

striyaḥwomen

Context

'It is not possible for me to look for Vaidehi elsewhere. During such search operations one always looks for women among women.'

FAQs

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

The verse supports the dharmic framing of Hanuman’s mission: even amid luxury and sensuality, the task remains disciplined and goal-directed—an implicit contrast between indulgence and duty.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanuman is inside Ravana’s inner quarters, observing the sleeping women and the opulent setting while continuing his search for Sita.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfastness (dhṛti) and focus on duty (kārya-niṣṭhā), as the scene sets up Hanuman’s controlled observation without losing his purpose.