Shloka 5.10.22

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

Devanagari script

ताभ्यां स परिपूर्णाभ्यां भुजाभ्यां राक्षसेश्वरः।शुशुभेऽचलसङ्काशः शृङ्गाभ्यामिव मन्दरः।।।।

Transliteration

tābhyāṃ sa paripūrṇābhyāṃ bhujābhyāṃ rākṣaseśvaraḥ |

śuśubhe ’cala-saṅkāśaḥ śṛṅgābhyām iva mandaraḥ ||

Translation

With those two fully formed arms, the lord of the rākṣasas shone like a mountain—like Mandara with its twin peaks.

Context

The lord of demons looked splendid like a mountain with his long, fully developed arms. He appeared like Mandara mountain with two lofty peaks.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Mandara (mountain)

FAQs

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

The verse underscores a Ramayana theme: grandeur and might are ethically neutral; they become noble only when aligned with dharma and satya. Otherwise, they magnify adharma.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān’s observation continues, portraying Rāvaṇa’s imposing physique through the mountain-and-peaks comparison.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Hanumān’s objectivity: he can acknowledge an enemy’s strength without admiration that compromises his righteous purpose.