HomeRamayanaSundara KandaSarga 10Shloka 5.10.52
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Shloka 5.10.52

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

मुक्तामणिसमायुक्तैर्भूषणैः सुविभूषिताम्।विभूषयन्तीमिव तत्स्वश्रिया भवनोत्तमम्।।5.10.51।।गौरीं कनकवर्णाभामिष्टामन्तः पुरेश्वरीम्।कपिर्मन्दोदरीं तत्र शयानां चारुरूपिणीम्।।5.10.52।।

muktā-maṇi-samāyuktair bhūṣaṇaiḥ su-vibhūṣitām |

vibhūṣayantīm iva tat-svaśriyā bhavanottamam ||

gaurīṃ kanaka-varṇābhām iṣṭām antaḥpureśvarīm |

kapiḥ mandodarīṃ tatra śayānāṃ cāru-rūpiṇīm ||

The monkey saw Mandodari there, sleeping—radiant, golden-hued, and exquisitely adorned with pearl-and-gem ornaments, as if her own splendor embellished the finest of mansions; she was the favored queen of the inner palace.

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.

H
Hanuman
M
Mandodari

Even when the text repeats/echoes, the ethical point remains: discernment grounded in satya is required in a mission of rescue and justice.

A parallel/duplicated presentation (as transmitted in this recension) of Hanuman’s sighting of Mandodari.

Consistency and careful verification—key to truthful action.