Shloka 23
लङ्काप्रवेशः
Hanuman Enters Lanka and Encounters Laṅkā-devatā
कस्त्वं केन च कार्येण इह प्राप्तो वनालय।कथयस्वेह यत्तत्त्वं यावत्प्राणा धरन्ति ते।।।।
kas tvaṃ kena ca kāryeṇa iha prāpto vanālaya | kathayasveha yat tattvaṃ yāvat prāṇā dharanti te ||
Wer bist du, Waldwohner, und zu welchem Zweck bist du hierher gekommen? Sprich hier die Wahrheit der Sache, solange dein Lebenshauch noch währt.
"O dweller of the forest, who are you? Why did you come here? Speak the truth about your identity, so long as you hold on to your life.
FAQs
Satya (truthfulness) is demanded explicitly—identity and intention must be stated truthfully, implying that moral order depends on truthful speech and accountability.
The guardian of Laṅkā confronts Hanumān and demands his identity and mission, under threat of violence.
Satya as a tested virtue: the scene sets up a moral-pressure moment where truth, strategy, and duty will have to be balanced.