Shloka 9
लङ्काप्रवेशः
Hanuman Enters Lanka and Encounters Laṅkā-devatā
विस्मयाविष्टहृदयः पुरीमालोक्य सर्वतः।जाम्बूनदमयैर्द्वारैर्वैडूर्यकृतवेदिकैः।।5.3.8।।वज्रस्फटिकमुक्ताभिर्मणिकुट्टिमभूषितैः।तप्तहाटकनिर्यूहै राजतामलपाण्डुरैः।।5.3.9।।वैढूर्यकृतसोपानैः स्फाटिकान्तरपांसुभिः।चारुसंजवनोपेतैः खमिवोत्पतितैः शुभैः।।5.3.10।।क्रौञ्चबर्हिणसङ्घुष्टैः राजहंस निषेवितैः।तूर्याभरणनिर्घोषैः सर्वतः प्रतिनादिताम्।।5.3.11।।वस्वौकसाराप्रतिमां तां वीक्ष्य नगरीं ततः।खमिवोत्पतितुं कामां जहर्ष हनुमान् कपिः।।5.3.12।।
vajrasphaṭikamuktābhirmaṇikuṭṭimabhūṣitaiḥ |
taptahāṭakaniryūhai rājataṃalapāṇḍuraiḥ || 5.3.9 ||
Ihre mit Edelsteinen eingelegten Pflaster glänzten von Diamanten, Kristall und Perlen; ihre Bauten loderten von erhitztem Gold, und ihre Flächen schimmerten blass und hell vom makellosen Silber.
Surveying all over, Hanuman was wonderstruck to see as though it was leaping into the sky. The city had golden shutters, altars encrusted with vaidurya, mansions inlaid with diamonds, crystals, pearls and other gems, crowned with pure gold and silver. The staircases built with silver were studded with vaidurya. The beautiful quadrangles, coverd with grains of crystal were as though leaping into the air. It echoed with sounds of krauncha birds, peacocks and royal swans. Filled with sounds of musical instruments, it resembled the city of Vaswokasara.
FAQs
The verse underscores a moral contrast central to the Ramāyaṇa: material brilliance can coexist with moral darkness. Dharma is not measured by jewels and metals, but by satya (truthfulness) and just conduct.
Continuing his survey, Hanumān notes Laṅkā’s extravagant materials—diamonds, crystal, pearls, gold, and silver—used in its pavements and buildings.
Steadfast purpose: Hanumān does not become distracted by luxury; he remains oriented toward finding Sītā.