Shloka 4.50.41

ऋक्षबिलप्रवेशः — Entry into the Rikshabilam Cave

Devanagari script

ततो हनूमान्गिरिसन्निकाशःकृताज्ञलिस्तामभिवाद्य वृद्धाम्।पप्रच्छ का त्वं भवनं बिलं चरत्नानि चेमानि वदस्व कस्य।।।।

Transliteration

tāṃ dṛṣṭvā bhṛśa-santastāś cīra-kṛṣṇājināmbarām | tāpasīṃ niyatāhārāṃ jvalantīm iva tejasā ||

Translation

Seeing her—an ascetic woman clad in bark-garments and black antelope-skin, restrained in food, and as though blazing with spiritual radiance—the monkeys were greatly frightened.

Context

Then Hanuman who was of the size of a mountain greeted the old lady with folded hands and enquired her 'Who are you? To whom does this mansion, this cave and these gems belong?'ইত্যার্ষে শ্রীমদ্রামাযণে বাল্মীকীয আদিকাব্যে কিষ্কিন্ধাকাণ্ডে পঞ্চাশস্সর্গঃ৷৷Thus ends of fiftieth sarga in Kishkindakanda of the first epic of the Holy Ramayana composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• vānaras (search party)
• tāpasī (female ascetic)
• cīra (bark garment)
• kṛṣṇājina (black antelope-skin)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes honoring tapas (austerity) and spiritual power: the ascetic’s disciplined life commands reverence and careful behavior from those who encounter her.

What is the narrative situation?

The search party realizes the woman is a formidable ascetic, radiant with tejas, and they react with fear and awe.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverential fear (bhaya mixed with respect)—recognizing spiritual authority and not treating it casually.