Shloka 5.10.1

रावणान्तःपुरे शयनदर्शनम् (Hanumān Observes Rāvaṇa’s Inner Apartments and Sleeping Court)

Devanagari script

तत्र दिव्योपमं मुख्यं स्फाटिकं रत्नभूषितम्।अवेक्षमाणो हनुमान् ददर्श शयनासनम्।।।।दान्तकाञ्चनचित्राङ्गैर्वैडूर्यैश्च वरासनैः।महार्हास्तरणोपेतैरुपपन्नं महाधनैः।।।।

Transliteration

tatra divyopamaṃ mukhyaṃ sphāṭikaṃ ratnabhūṣitam |

avekṣamāṇo hanumān dadarśa śayanāsanam ||

dāntakāñcana-citrāṅgair vaiḍūryaiś ca varāsanaiḥ |

mahārha-āstaraṇopetair upapannaṃ mahādhanaiḥ ||

Translation

There Hanumān, looking about, beheld a foremost couch, heavenly in splendor—made of crystal, encrusted with gems, inlaid with ivory and gold, set with vaidūrya, and furnished with exquisitely costly coverings—befitting great wealth.

Context

Looking around, Hanuman noticed a bed chamber, with a heavenly dais on which he saw a couch encrusted with crystals, vaidurya, and inlaid with colourful ivory and gold. It had an exquisite rich covering.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• vaidūrya (gem)
• crystal couch/bed (śayanāsana)

FAQs

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

The verse foregrounds discernment and vigilance: Hanumān carefully observes his surroundings before acting. In dharma-terms, right action is grounded in attentive awareness rather than impulse.

What is the narrative situation?

Inside Laṅkā’s inner chambers, Hanumān surveys the opulent sleeping quarters and notices a magnificent couch, setting the stage for his encounter with Rāvaṇa.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Hanumān’s alertness and self-control—he investigates methodically, maintaining focus on his mission.