Shloka 22
लङ्काप्रवेशः
Hanuman’s Stealth Entry and Survey of Lanka
शक्तिवृक्षायुधांश्चैव पट्टिसाशनिधारिणः।।5.4.20।।क्षेपणीपाशहस्तांश्च ददर्श स महाकपिः।स्रग्विणस्त्वनुलिप्तांश्च वराभरणभूषितान्।।5.4.21।।नानावेषसमायुक्तान् यथास्स्वैरगतान् बहून्।तीक्ष्णशूलधरांश्चैव वज्रिणश्च महाबलान्।।5.4.22।।
nānāveṣa-samāyuktān yathā-svairagatān bahūn |
tīkṣṇa-śūla-dharāṃś caiva vajriṇaś ca mahābalān ||
Er sah viele, die sich frei bewegten, in mancherlei Gewändern und Gestalten; einige trugen scharfe Dreizacke, andere Waffen gleich dem Donnerkeil, alle von großer Kraft.
The great monkey saw the demons who held shaktis and trees as weapons (Shakti is a lance), some held threepointed spears, missiles and slings with which missiles are hurled. Some of them wore flower garlands, smeared unguents on their body and were bedecked with choicest ornaments. They were dressed in several ways and many of them moved freely. They were very strong and held sharp tridents and armed with thunderboltlike weapons.
FAQs
Dharma stresses prudent conduct in dangerous environments: recognizing both deception (varied guises) and force (weapons, strength) is essential for truthful, effective action.
Hanumān continues to observe Laṅkā’s defenders—mobile, varied in dress, and heavily armed—highlighting the risks of his mission.
Adaptability and caution—Hanumān’s success depends on moving wisely among powerful, potentially deceptive foes.