Shloka 5.10.14

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

Devanagari script

शुशुभे राक्षसेन्द्रस्य स्वपतः शयनोत्तमम्।गन्धहस्तिनि संविष्टे यथा प्रस्रवणं महत्।।।।

Transliteration

śuśubhe rākṣasendrasya svapataḥ śayanottamam |

gandhahastini saṃviṣṭe yathā prasravaṇaṃ mahat ||

Translation

The demon-king’s splendid couch shone as he slept—like the great Prasravaṇa hill when an elephant in rut has settled upon it.

Context

While the lord of demons lay asleep on the magnificent couch, he looked like the Prasravana hill with its elephant in rut.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa (rākṣasendra)
• Prasravaṇa (hill/mountain)
• gandhahastin (rutting elephant) (simile)

FAQs

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

The verse reminds that external splendor can surround adharma; dharma requires seeing beyond appearance to the moral reality of a person’s actions.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān observes the grandeur of Rāvaṇa’s bed and the imposing presence of the sleeping king, expressed through a mountain-and-elephant simile.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Perceptive judgment—Hanumān must not be overwhelmed by magnificence but stay anchored to the purpose of rescuing Sītā.