Shloka 16

द्वादशः सर्गः — हनूमतः अन्तःपुरविचयः

Hanuman’s Search Through Ravana’s Inner Apartments

Devanagari script

उत्पतन्निष्पतंश्चापि तिष्ठन्गच्छन् पुनः पुनः।अपावृण्वंश्च द्वाराणि कवाटान्यवघाटयन्।।5.12.15।।प्रविशन्निष्पतंश्चापि प्रपतन्नुत्पतन्नपि।सर्वमप्यवकाशं स विचचार महाकपिः।।5.12.16।।

Transliteration

utpatan niṣpataṃś cāpi tiṣṭhan gacchan punaḥ punaḥ |

apāvṛṇvaṃś ca dvārāṇi kavāṭāny avaghāṭayan ||

praviśan niṣpataṃś cāpi prapatan utpatan api |

sarvam apy avakāśaṃ sa vicacāra mahākapiḥ ||

Translation

Immer wieder sprang er auf und nieder—bald stand er, bald ging er—öffnete die Zugänge und stieß die Türen auf; er trat ein und wieder hinaus, stürzte hinab und schnellte empor. So durchstreifte der große Affe jeden Raum, der sich zum Suchen bot.

Word by Word

utpatanjumping up / leaping

niṣpatanleaping out / darting out

caand

apialso

tiṣṭhanstanding

gacchangoing

punaḥagain

apāvṛṇvanopening

caand

dvārāṇidoorways / entrances

kavāṭānidoor-panels / shutters

avaghāṭayanstriking down / pushing aside

Context

Thinking thus, he started searching once again the basement cells, temples, homes within homes.

Characters & Entities

Hanumān (Mahākapi)

Rāvaṇa’s inner palace (implicit)

FAQs

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

Dharma is energetic, disciplined action: Hanumān does not merely intend good—he exerts body and mind fully to fulfill a righteous responsibility.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration depicts the intensity and breadth of Hanumān’s search as he moves through doors, passages, and levels of the palace complex.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vīrya (valor/energy) joined with perseverance—unceasing effort in service of truth and justice.