Shloka 3
चन्द्रप्रकाशे लङ्कानिरीक्षणम्
Moonlit Survey of Lanka and the Unfound Sita
या भाति लक्ष्मीर्भुवि मन्दरस्था तथा प्रदोषेषु च सागरस्था।तथैव तोयेषु च पुष्करस्था रराज सा चारुनिशाकरस्था।।5.5.3।।
yā bhāti lakṣmīr bhuvi mandarasthā tathā pradoṣeṣu ca sāgarasthā | tathaiva toyeṣu ca puṣkarasthā rarāja sā cāru-niśākarasthā || 5.5.3 ||
Dieselbe Pracht, die auf Erden auf dem Berge Mandara leuchtet, die in der Abenddämmerung über dem Ozean erglänzt und in den Wassern unter Lotosblüten weilt—so strahlte sie auch dort, gleichsam auf dem lieblichen Mond sitzend.
'The same splendour on the Mandara mountain on earth, which glows at dusk lay on the ocean is there, on lotuses in the lakes and on the beautiful Moon also.
FAQs
The verse highlights śrī (auspicious splendour) as a sign of harmony and order in the world. In the Ramayana’s ethical imagination, such radiance symbolizes a dharmic cosmos—beauty and auspiciousness appear where balance and right order prevail.
During Hanumān’s night-time movement in Laṅkā (Sarga 5), the narration lingers on the moon and twilight atmosphere, setting a reflective mood before the more perilous episodes of searching for Sītā.
Hanumān’s attentive discernment (buddhi and viveka) is implied: he observes the environment with clarity and steadiness, a disciplined focus essential to his dharmic mission.