Shloka 5.15.17
अशोकवनिकायां सीतादर्शनम् (Sita Seen in the Ashoka Grove)
शैलेन्द्रमिव गन्धाढ्यं द्वितीयं गन्धमादनम्।अशोकवनिकायां तु तस्यां वानरपुङ्गवः।।5.15.15।।स ददर्शाविदूरस्थं चैत्यप्रासादमुच्छ्रितम्।मथ्ये स्तम्भसहस्रेण स्थितं कैलासपाण्डुरम्।।5.15.16।।प्रवालकृतसोपानं तप्तकाञ्चनवेदिकम्।मुष्णन्तमिव चक्षूंषि द्योतमानमिव श्रिया।।5.15.17।।विमलं प्रांशुभावत्वादुल्लिखन्तमिवाम्बरम्।
pravālakṛtasopānaṃ taptakāñcanavedikam |
muṣṇantam iva cakṣūṃṣi dyotamānam iva śriyā || 5.15.17 ||
Its steps were fashioned of coral, its platforms of glowing gold; shining with splendour, it seemed to steal the very eyes of those who looked upon it.
The monkey leader saw a lofty templelike structure in the midst of the Ashoka grove which was highly fragrant and appeared like another indescribable structure that stood on a thousand pillars like another Gandhamadana mountain. It gleamed white like mount Kailasa. Its stairs were paved with corals. The altars were made of brightly polished gold. This structure glowing with brilliance was as if stealing the eyes. It looked white with light and lofty as though scratching the sky.
The ‘eye-stealing’ splendour symbolizes temptation and illusion; Dharma calls for mastery over fascination with wealth so that one’s choices remain aligned with truth (satya) and duty.
The narrator details the opulence of the structure Hanuman is observing in the grove.
Non-attachment (asakti) is implied: Hanuman is not captivated into forgetfulness of his mission.