Shloka 4.51.6
स्वयंप्रभा-प्रश्नोत्तरम् / Svayamprabha Explains the Golden Forest and Questions the Vanaras
पुष्पिताः फलवन्तश्च पुण्यास्सुरभिगन्धिनः।।4.51.6।।इमे जाम्बूनदमयाः पादपाः कस्य तेजसा।काञ्चनानि च पद्मानि जातानि विमले जले।।4.51.7।।कथं मत्स्याश्च सौवर्णा दृश्यन्ते सह कच्छपैः।आत्मानमनुभावं च कस्य चैतत्तपोबलम्।।4.51.8।।अजानतां न स्सर्वेषां सर्वमाख्यातुमर्हसि।
kathaṃ matsyāś ca sauvarṇā dṛśyante saha kacchapaiḥ | ātmānam anubhāvaṃ ca kasya caitat tapobalam || 4.51.8 || ajānatāṃ naḥ sarveṣāṃ sarvam ākhyātum arhasi |
How do golden fish appear here, along with tortoises? Who holds the power behind all this—whose might, born of tapas, is it? Since none of us knows, you should explain everything to us.
'By whose prowess are these golden trees yielding sacred fragrant flowers and fruits? How are these golden lotuses created in the clear water? How is it that here are golden fishes and tortoises? Whose fruit of penance is this? Is it by your power? We do not know. You should tell all of us everything'.
Deference to spiritual authority and commitment to truth: dharma is upheld by asking a qualified person to clarify what is unknown, rather than acting on assumption.
Seeing golden aquatic creatures and other marvels, Hanuman requests the ascetic to disclose whose ascetic power has produced this realm.
Teachability—Hanuman models respectful learning and invites complete explanation for the group.