HomeRamayanaSundara KandaSarga 11Shloka 5.11.20
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Shloka 5.11.20

रावणान्तःपुर-पानभूमि-विचयः (Hanumān’s Survey of Rāvaṇa’s Inner Palace and Banquet Hall)

दिव्याः प्रसन्ना विविधाः सुराः कृतसुरा अपि।शर्कराऽसवमाध्वीकपुष्पासवफलासवाः।।5.11.20।।वासचूर्णैश्च विविधैर्मृष्टास्तैस्तैः पृथक् पृथक्।

divyāḥ prasannā vividhāḥ surāḥ kṛtasurā api | śarkarā’sava-mādhvīka-puṣpāsava-phalāsavāḥ ||5.11.20|| vāsacūrṇaiś ca vividhair mṛṣṭās tais tais pṛthak pṛthak |

There were many kinds of delightful, exquisite wines—some fermented—made from sugar-based liquors, honey, flower-ferments, and fruit-ferments; and each was made more pleasing with different fragrant spice-powders, blended separately for each kind.

There were many types of wonderful and pleasing wine extracted from sugarcane, honey , fruits and flowers. They were good even though fermented and made deliciousby seasoning with aromatic spices.

H
Hanumān
P
pāna-bhūmi (banquet hall)

The ethical teaching is indirect: refined pleasure and intoxication are portrayed as part of an adharma-aligned environment. Dharma requires vigilance and sobriety of purpose—qualities embodied by Hanumān amid such temptations.

Hanumān notices abundant varieties of liquors and their careful preparation, indicating a culture of revelry in the palace.

Detachment (vairāgya in action): Hanumān remains unaffected by sensory allure while on a righteous mission.