Shloka 5.15.4

अशोकवनिकायां सीतादर्शनम् (Sita Seen in the Ashoka Grove)

Devanagari script

सन्तानकलताभिश्च पादपैरुपशोभिताम्।दिव्यगन्धरसोपेतां सर्वतस्समलङ्कृताम्।।5.15.2।।तां स नन्दनसङ्काशां मृगपक्षिभिरावृताम्।हर्म्यप्रासादसम्बाधां कोकिलाकुलनिस्स्वनाम्।।5.15.3।।काञ्चनोत्पलपद्माभिर्वापीभिरुपशोभिताम्।बह्वासनकुथोपेतां बहुभूमिगृहायुताम्।।5.15.4।।सर्वर्तुकुसुमै रम्यां फलवद्भिश्च पादपैः।पुष्पितानामशोकानां श्रिया सूर्योदयप्रभाम्।।5.15.5।।प्रदीप्तामिव तत्रस्थो मारुतिस्समुदैक्षत।निष्पत्रशाखां विहगैः क्रियमाणामिवासकृत्।।5.15.6।।विनिष्पतद्भिः शतशश्चित्रैः पुष्पावतंसकैः।आमूलपुष्पनिचितैरशोकैश्शोकनाशनैः।।5.15.7।।पुष्पभारातिभारैश्च स्पृशद्भिरिव मेदिनीम्।कर्णिकारैः कुसुमितैः किंशुकैश्च सुपुष्पितैः।।5.15.8।।

Transliteration

kāñcanotpalapadmābhir vāpībhir upaśobhitām |

bahvāsanakuthopetāṃ bahubhūmigṛhāyutām || 5.15.4 ||

Translation

He saw that grove made splendid by pools adorned with golden lilies and lotuses, furnished with many seats and fine coverings, and provided with many subterranean chambers.

Context

Hanuman surveyed from the Simsupa tree the Ashoka grove of trees full of fine fragrance. It looked welldecorated like the Nandana garden of Indra. It teemed with animals and birds. It was filled with the voices of the cuckoos. It had tall mansions and underground chamber. There were golden lilies and lotuses in the lakes, enchanting couches with rich coverings and trees full of blossoms of all seasons and fruits in abundance With the Ashoka tree shedding showers of flowers from time to time the place shone with the splendour of Sunrise. It glittered like inflamed fire. The Ashoka tree had hundreds of colourful birds on the branches. It appeared as if it had branches without leaves which made them look like earornaments (of the grove). Ashoka flowers in bloom hung down to the base of the tree as if to take away the grief of the onlookers. The blossoms of the Karnikara and kimsuka brightened the whole grove.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān (Māruti)
• Aśoka-vana (Aśoka grove)
• vāpī (ornamental pools)
• utpala (water-lilies)
• padma (lotuses)

FAQs

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

Dharma here is expressed indirectly as disciplined perception: Hanumān’s mission requires careful, truthful seeing rather than haste or imagination—an ethical commitment to accurate knowledge before action.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān is surveying the Aśoka grove in Laṅkā, noting its luxurious features (pools, flowers, seats, underground chambers) as he searches for Sītā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Pramāda-rahitatā (carefulness) and satya-niṣṭhā (truth-oriented judgment): the habit of observing details precisely while remaining focused on a righteous objective.