Shloka 50

लङ्काप्रवेशः

Hanuman Enters Lanka and Encounters Laṅkā-devatā

Devanagari script

तत्प्रविश्य हरिश्रेष्ठ पुरीं रावणपालिताम्।।।।विधत्स्व सर्वकार्याणि यानि यानीह वाञ्छसि।

Transliteration

tat praviśya hariśreṣṭha purīṃ rāvaṇa-pālitām | vidhatsva sarva-kāryāṇi yāni yānīha vāñchasi ||

Translation

Darum tritt ein, o Bester der Affen, in diese von Rāvaṇa beherrschte Stadt und vollbringe hier alle Werke, die du zu tun begehrst.

Word by Word

• tat: therefore
• tat: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya-like usage (निपातवत्) meaning ‘therefore/then’

• praviśya: having entered
• praviśya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√viś (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा/ल्यप्) in -ya from pra-√viś; ‘having entered’

• hariśreṣṭha: O best of monkeys
• hariśreṣṭha: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक) + śreṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Sambodhana Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa ‘best of monkeys’

• purīm: the city
• purīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: purī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā Ekavacana

• rāvaṇa-pālitām: ruled by Ravana
• rāvaṇa-pālitām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rāvaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + pālita (कृदन्त)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā Ekavacana; adjective qualifying purīm; tatpuruṣa (तृतीया/षष्ठी sense) ‘ruled/protected by Rāvaṇa’

• vidhatsva: undertake/perform
• vidhatsva: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-√dhā (धातु)
• Form: Loṭ, Madhyama-puruṣa Ekavacana; ātmanepada; ‘arrange/undertake’

• sarva-kāryāṇi: all tasks
• sarva-kāryāṇi: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + kārya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Dvitīyā Bahuvacana; karmadhāraya ‘all tasks’

• yāni: which
• yāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Dvitīyā Bahuvacana; relative pronoun referring to sarva-kāryāṇi

• yāni: whatever
• yāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Dvitīyā Bahuvacana; repetition for distributive sense ‘whatever’

• iha: here
• iha: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iha (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb of place

• vāñchasi: you wish
• vāñchasi: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vāñch (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ, Madhyama-puruṣa Ekavacana; parasmaipada

Context

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.

Characters & Entities

• Laṅkā
• Rāvaṇa
• Hanumān

FAQs

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

Dharma supports rightful purpose: once truth is recognized, obstacles yield, enabling the dharmic mission (search for Sītā) to proceed.

What is the narrative situation?

After acknowledging the prophecy and Hanumān’s victory, Laṅkā-devatā grants him leave to enter and act freely for his mission.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Single-pointed commitment to duty (kārya-niṣṭhā): Hanumān is empowered to proceed with focused action.