Shloka 5.11.38

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

Devanagari script

न हि मे परदाराणां दृष्टिर्विषयवर्तिनी।।5.11.38।।अयं चात्र मया दृष्टः परदारापरिग्रहः।

Transliteration

na hi me para-dārāṇāṃ dṛṣṭir viṣaya-vartinī || 5.11.38 || ayaṃ cātra mayā dṛṣṭaḥ para-dārāparigrahaḥ |

Translation

“My gaze toward another’s wives is not driven by desire; and here what I have done is only this—seeing them, without any intention of appropriation.”

Context

'I did see these wives of another, but not with a sensual mind. I have only seen them but not with foul intention'.

Characters & Entities

• Hanuman
• para-dāra (others’ wives)

FAQs

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

Dharma distinguishes between mere perception and lustful intention: moral responsibility is tied to the state of mind (bhāva) and the refusal to objectify or claim what is not one’s own.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanuman defends his conduct to his own conscience while continuing the search in a restricted, sensitive space.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Purity of intent and disciplined senses—he asserts inner control even amid temptation or ambiguity.