Shloka 5.10.8
रावणान्तःपुरे शयनदर्शनम् (Hanumān Observes Rāvaṇa’s Inner Apartments and Sleeping Court)
तस्मिन् जीमूतसंकाशं प्रदीप्तोत्तमकुण्डलम्।लोहिताक्षं महाबाहुं महारजतवाससम्।।5.10.7।।लोहितेनानुलिप्ताङ्गं चन्दनेन सुगन्धिना।सन्ध्यारक्तमिवाकाशे तोयदं सतटिद्गणम्।।5.10.8।।वृतमाभरणैर्दिव्यैः सुरूपं कामरूपिणम्।सवृक्षवनगुल्माढ्यं प्रसुप्तमिव मन्दरम्।।5.10.9।।क्रीडित्वोपरतं रात्रौ वराभरणभूषितम्।प्रियं राक्षसकन्यानां राक्षसानां सुखावहम्।।5.10.10।।पीत्वाऽप्युपरतं चापि ददर्श स महाकपिः।भास्वरे शयने वीरं प्रसुप्तं राक्षसाधिपम्।।5.10.11।।
lohitenānuliptāṅgaṃ candanena sugandhinā |
sandhyāraktam ivākāśe toyadaṃ sataṭidgaṇam ||5.10.8||
His limbs were smeared with fragrant red sandal paste, so that he appeared like a cloud in the sky reddened at twilight and streaked with flashes of lightning.
Hanuman saw the mightyarmed, heroic lord of demons, sleeping with huge bloodshot eyes looking like a cloud, he was adorned with flashing earrings, and clad in robes of silver texture. His body was smeared with red sandal paste of sweet fragrance. Therefore, he looked like a cloud reddened by twilight and flashing with the lightning of his ornaments. He was handsome and could assume any form at will. He looked like Mandara mountain surrounded thickly with trees and wild bushes. Decked with exquisite ornaments, he was sleeping after dalliance at night on that glittering couch. He was the beloved of the ogresses and bringer of joy to them
The verse reinforces a dharmic reading of “surface versus essence”: alluring fragrance and ornament can mask moral darkness. The Ramayana urges alignment with satya and dharma rather than being swayed by sensory glamour.
Hanumān continues observing the sleeping Rāvaṇa, noting the red sandal paste and the striking, poetic cloud-like appearance.
Composure and clarity: Hanumān’s mind stays steady, recording details without losing the ethical compass of his mission.