Shloka 4.50.5
ऋक्षबिलप्रवेशः — Entry into the Rikshabilam Cave
परस्परेण हनुमा नन्योन्यस्याविदूरतः।गजो गवाक्षो गवयश्शरभो गन्धमादनः।।।।मैन्दश्च द्विविदश्चैव सुषेणो जाम्बवान्नल:।अङ्गदो युवराजश्च तारश्च वनगोचरः।।।।गिरिजालावृतान्देशान्मार्गित्वा दक्षिणां दिशम्।विचिन्वन्तस्ततस्तत्र ददृशुर्विवृतं बिलम्।।।।दुर्गमृक्षबिलं नाम दानवेनाभिरक्षितम्।
vismitā harayas tatra vyavatiṣṭhanta sarvaśaḥ | papraccha hanumāṃs tatra kāsi tvaṃ kasya vā bilam ||
Amazed, the monkeys halted all around. There Hanumān asked her: “Who are you, and whose cave is this?”
Having explored the region surrounded by a network of mountains, Gaja, Gavaksha, Gavaya, Sarabha, Gandhamadana, Mainda and also Dvivida, Sushena, Jambavan, Angada the heir apparent, Tara the forest-dweller staying close to one another and Hanuman too not far from the others searched in the southern direction. While they were exploring, they saw the mouth of a large cave called Rikshabilam, which had its mouth open, guarded by a demon.
Satya and dharmic conduct begin with proper inquiry: Hanumān seeks truthful identification and rightful ownership before acting, reflecting respect for boundaries and lawfulness.
After being stunned by the ascetic’s presence, the group stops; Hanumān initiates a respectful interrogation to understand who she is and what the place is.
Prudence and civility—asking before assuming, and clarifying facts to proceed rightly.