Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 14, Shloka 33
अशोकवनिकाविचारः
Survey of the Aśoka Grove and its Enchanted Landscape
कृत्रिमां दीर्घिकां चापि पूर्णां शीतेन वारिणा।मणिप्रवरसोपानां मुक्तासिकतशोभिताम्।।।।विविधैर्मृगसङ्घैश्च विचित्रां चित्रकाननाम्।प्रासादैस्सुमहद्भिश्च निर्मितैर्विश्वकर्मणा।।।।काननैः कृत्रिमैश्चापि सर्वतः समलङ्कृताम्।
kṛtrimāṃ dīrghikāṃ cāpi pūrṇāṃ śītena vāriṇā |
maṇipravarasopānāṃ muktāsikataśobhitām ||
vividhair mṛgasaṅghaiś ca vicitrāṃ citrakānanām |
prāsādaiḥ sumahadbhiś ca nirmitair viśvakarmaṇā ||
kānanaiḥ kṛtrimaiś cāpi sarvataḥ samalaṅkṛtām ||
Er sah auch einen künstlich angelegten, langgestreckten See, gefüllt mit kühlem Wasser, mit Stufen, geschmückt mit erlesenen Edelsteinen, und Ufern, die glänzten, als wären sie mit Perlensand bestreut; belebt durch Herden mannigfaltiger Tiere und ringsum geziert mit kunstvoll geschaffenen Hainen und gewaltigen Palästen—als wäre es das Werk Viśvakarmans selbst.
Hanuman saw an oblong pond, full of cool water provided with steps, embellished with gems and beautified with pearl dust as sand on its bank. Thronged with many kinds of animals, it looked colourful with large mansions constructed by Visvakarma in the artificial woodlands decorated all over.
FAQs
The verse contrasts luxury with duty: Dharma is the ability to witness splendour without being tempted away from a righteous objective.
Hanumān surveys the opulent, engineered landscapes of Laṅkā—lakes, groves, and mansions—while continuing his search for Sītā.
Aparigraha in spirit (non-possessiveness): he does not cling to or covet what he sees, remaining mission-centered.