Shloka 4
लङ्काप्रवेशः
Hanuman Enters Lanka and Encounters Laṅkā-devatā
शारदाम्बुधरप्रख्यैर्भवनैरुपशोभिताम्।सागरोपमनिर्घोषां सागरानिलसेविताम्।।5.3.3।।सुपुष्टबलसम्पुष्टां यथैव विटपावतीम्।चारुतोरणनिर्यूहां पाण्डुरद्वारतोरणाम्।।5.3.4।।भुजगाचरितां गुप्तां शुभां भोगवतीमिव।तां स विद्युद्घनाकीर्णां ज्योतिर्मार्गनिषेविताम्।।5.3.5।।मन्दमारुतसञ्चारां यथेन्द्रस्यामरावतीम्।शातकुम्भेन महता प्राकारेणाभिसंवृताम्।।5.3.6।।किङ्किणीजालघोषाभिः पताकाभिरलङ्कृताम्।आसाद्य सहसा हृष्टः प्राकारमभिपेदिवान्।।5.3.7।।
supuṣṭa-bala-sampuṣṭāṃ yathaiva viṭapāvatīm | cāru-toraṇa-niryūhāṃ pāṇḍura-dvāra-toraṇām ||
Er erblickte Laṅkā, gestärkt durch ein wohlgenährtes, kräftiges Heer, gleich Viṭapāvatī: geschmückt mit herrlichen Torbögen und versehen mit blassweißen Toren und Toranas.
Hanuman, happy to reach Lanka, stood on its rampart and surveyed the city of land which was splendid with beautiful mansions overcast with autumnal clouds pierced by glittering streaks of lightning, served by planets and stars with mild winds blowing (out of fear of Ravana), with the roaring sounds of the sea and with a wellfed army like Vitapavati (that is Alaka, the capital of Kubera, halfbrother of Ravana and the treasurer of celestials), which had elephants sationed at the outer gates, provided with white archways and protected by serpents like the auspicious city of Bhogavati (capital of Patala). Surrounded by a golden rampart, the city resembled Amaravati, the capital of Indra, decorated with flags fluttering, echoing with the jingling sounds of small bells.
FAQs
The verse highlights organized power (a strong, well-fed army) and civic splendor; dharma reflection is that prosperity and security are instruments that must serve righteous rule, not adharma.
During his reconnaissance, Hanumān surveys Laṅkā’s defenses and grand gateways, comparing the city to a celebrated counterpart.
Hanumān’s attentiveness and strategic intelligence: he observes fortification details essential to his mission.