Shloka 5.11.42
रावणान्तःपुर-पानभूमि-विचयः (Hanumān’s Survey of Rāvaṇa’s Inner Palace and Banquet Hall)
नान्यत्र हि मया शक्या वैदेही परिमार्गितुम्।।5.11.42।।स्त्रियो हि स्त्रीषु दृश्यन्ते सदा सम्परिमार्गणे।
murajeṣu mṛdaṅgeṣu pīṭhikāsu ca saṃsthitāḥ || 5.11.5 ||
tathā ’staraṇamukhyeṣu saṃviṣṭāś cāparāḥ striyaḥ |
Some women were resting upon muraja-drums, mṛdaṅga-drums, and low stools; others lay upon excellent couches and fine bedding.
'It is not possible for me to look for Vaidehi elsewhere. During such search operations one always looks for women among women.'
The verse supports the dharmic framing of Hanuman’s mission: even amid luxury and sensuality, the task remains disciplined and goal-directed—an implicit contrast between indulgence and duty.
Hanuman is inside Ravana’s inner quarters, observing the sleeping women and the opulent setting while continuing his search for Sita.
Steadfastness (dhṛti) and focus on duty (kārya-niṣṭhā), as the scene sets up Hanuman’s controlled observation without losing his purpose.