Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 2, Shloka 56
लङ्कादर्शनं तथा रात्रौ सूक्ष्मरूपेण प्रवेशोपायचिन्तनम्
Vision of Lanka and Strategy for Nocturnal Entry
स पाण्डुराविद्धविमानमालिनीं महार्हजाम्बूनदजालतोरणाम्।यशस्विनीं रावणबाहुपालितां क्षपाचरैर्भीमबलैः समावृताम्।।।।
sa pāṇḍurāviddhavimānamālinīṃ mahārhajāmbūnadajālato raṇām | yaśasvinīṃ rāvaṇabāhupālitāṃ kṣapācarair bhīmabalaiḥ samāvṛtām ||
Er erblickte jene ruhmreiche Stadt: wie mit einer Girlande aus blass schimmernden, hochragenden Vimānas geschmückt, mit kostbaren Toranas und goldenem Gitterwerk; unter Rāvaṇas Armgewalt beherrscht und von nachtstreifenden Dämonen von furchtbarer Stärke umringt.
He found that famed place with a garland of tall, white mansions, conspicuous with archways latticed with gold strings, protected by mighty Ravana and surrounded by terrific demons.
FAQs
The verse highlights the ethical tension between power and righteousness: Ravana’s rule is mighty and well-defended, yet the Ramayana implies that strength without dharma becomes a fortress for wrongdoing.
Hanuman surveys Lanka’s architecture and defenses, noting its wealth, fame, and heavy demon-guarding under Ravana.
Courage with prudence: Hanuman assesses the adversary’s strength realistically, a key virtue for dharmic success.