Shloka 5.11.34

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

Devanagari script

तासां निद्रावशत्वाच्च मदनेन विमूर्छितम्।।5.11.34।।पद्मिनीनां प्रसुप्तानां रूपमासीद्यथैव हि।

Transliteration

tāsāṃ nidrā-vaśatvāc ca madanena vimūrcchitam || 5.11.34 || padminīnāṃ prasuptānāṃ rūpam āsīd yathaiva hi |

Translation

Overpowered by sleep and faint from the sport of desire, their beauty as they lay asleep appeared like lotus-creepers whose blossoms have closed.

Context

Withered due to indulgence in sex they were overcome with sleep. The charm of the women was like the lotus creepers with closed lotuses .

Characters & Entities

• rākṣasa women (implied)
• Ravana (implied context)

FAQs

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

The verse supports a dharmic reading of restraint: beauty and sensuality are observed descriptively, but the narrative soon stresses that a righteous agent must not let such sights derail duty.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanuman sees the women asleep in the inner chambers; their condition shows the aftermath of revelry, helping establish the setting he must navigate.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Hanuman’s vigilance—he continues searching despite distractions and the morally delicate environment.