Shloka 5.10.51

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

Devanagari script

मुक्तामणिसमायुक्तैर्भूषणैः सुविभूषिताम्।विभूषयन्तीमिव तत्स्वश्रिया भवनोत्तमम्।।।।गौरीं कनकवर्णाभामिष्टामन्तः पुरेश्वरीम्।कपिर्मन्दोदरीं तत्र शयानां चारुरूपिणीम्।।।।

Transliteration

muktā-maṇi-samāyuktair bhūṣaṇaiḥ su-vibhūṣitām |

vibhūṣayantīm iva tat-svaśriyā bhavanottamam ||

gaurīṃ kanaka-varṇābhām iṣṭām antaḥpureśvarīm |

kapiḥ mandodarīṃ tatra śayānāṃ cāru-rūpiṇīm ||

Translation

There the monkey saw Mandodari, beautiful in form, sleeping—adorned with ornaments set with pearls and gems, as though by her own radiance she were decorating that splendid mansion. Fair and golden-hued, she was the beloved chief queen of the inner apartments.

Context

Then the vanara saw a very beautiful woman of golden complexion decked with pearls and gems and with ornaments as if illuminating the excellent mansion with her splendour She was the king's favourite and the chief queen, Mandodari.

Characters & Entities

• Hanuman
• Mandodari
• antaḥpura (inner apartments)

FAQs

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

Dharma appears as truthful recognition: beauty and royal status must not mislead the seeker; Hanuman must find Sita by signs consistent with her chastity and suffering.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanuman identifies a prominent sleeping woman in the harem as Mandodari, Ravana’s chief queen, noting her splendor.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Discrimination and fidelity to truth (satya-niṣṭhā): Hanuman must not confuse appearances with Sita’s reality.