Shloka 5.11.37

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

Devanagari script

परदारावरोधस्य प्रसुप्तस्य निरीक्षणम्।।5.11.37।।इदं खलु ममात्यर्थं धर्मलोपं करिष्यति।

Transliteration

para-dārāvarodhasya prasuptasya nirīkṣaṇam || 5.11.37 || idaṃ khalu mamātyarthaṃ dharma-lopaṃ kariṣyati |

Translation

“To look upon the sleeping women in another’s inner chambers—this indeed would bring about a grave lapse of dharma on my part.”

Context

'Observing the wives of others in this manner in their inner chambers very much amounts to transgression of moral code by me'. ( thought he)

Characters & Entities

• Hanuman
• para-dāra (others’ wives)
• avarodha (inner chambers)

FAQs

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

Respect for others’ marital and private boundaries (para-dāra-maryādā): righteousness includes guarding one’s gaze and intentions, not merely avoiding physical wrongdoing.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanuman pauses mid-search to evaluate whether entering and observing the women’s quarters compromises dharma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Integrity—he refuses to justify questionable means simply because the end (finding Sita) is noble.