Shloka 5.10.31

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

Devanagari script

शशिप्रकाशवदनाश्चारुकुण्डलभूषिताः।अम्लानमाल्याभरणा ददर्श हरियूथपः।।।।

Transliteration

śaśiprakāśa-vadanāś cāru-kuṇḍala-bhūṣitāḥ |

amlāna-mālyābharaṇā dadarśa hariyūthapaḥ ||

Translation

The vanara leader saw women whose faces shone like the Moon, adorned with lovely earrings, and wearing garlands and ornaments not yet withered.

Context

Hanuman, the leader of vanaras found the wives of Ravana, whose faces were bright as the Moon, adorned with beautiful ear-rings and fresh floral garlands.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Rāvaṇa’s wives
• Moon (śaśi)

FAQs

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

Dharma is implied by contrast: beauty and luxury are ethically neutral; the Ramayana urges that truth (satya) and righteousness, not outward charm, determine what is worthy.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān continues scanning the women in the palace, assessing whether any could be Sītā, while noting their adornments.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Hanumān’s careful identification and integrity—he looks without being distracted, because his aim is truthful recognition of Sītā.