Shloka 5.2.15

लङ्कादर्शनं तथा रात्रौ सूक्ष्मरूपेण प्रवेशोपायचिन्तनम् (Vision of Lanka and Strategy for Nocturnal Entry)

Devanagari script

समासाद्य च लक्ष्मीवान् लङ्कां रावणपालिताम्।परिखाभिः सपद्माभिः सोत्पलाभिरलङ्कृताम्।।5.2.14।।सीतापहरणार्थेन रावणेन सुरक्षिताम्।समन्ताद्विचरद्भिश्च राक्षसैरुग्रधन्विभिः।।5.2.15।।काञ्चनेनावृतां रम्यां प्राकारेण महापुरीम्।गृहैश्च ग्रहसंकाशैः शारदाम्बुदसन्निभैः।।5.2.16।।पाण्डुराभिः प्रतोलीभिरुच्चाभिरभिसंवृताम्।अट्टालकशताकीर्णां पताकाध्वजमालिनीम्।।5.2.17।।तोरणैः काञ्चनैर्दिव्यैर्लतापङ्त्किविचित्रितैः।ददर्श हनुमान् लङ्कां दिवि देवपुरीं यथा।।5.2.18।।

Transliteration

sītāpaharaṇārthena rāvaṇena surakṣitām |

samantād vicaradbhiś ca rākṣasair ugradhanvibhiḥ ||

Translation

It was heavily guarded by Rāvaṇa for the sake of Sītā’s abduction, and on all sides it was patrolled by rākṣasas bearing dreadful bows.

Context

Fortunate Hanuman having reached Lanka ruled by Ravana found it surrounded by moats full of blue lotuses, guarded by demons with frightening bows, in view of Sita abducted and kept there. It was protected by boundary walls inlaid with gold that great and beautiful city with buildings resembling the assembly of planets and whitewashed, elevated houses looking like autumnal clouds and well laid out streets decorated with garlands of banners and flag posts, rows of colourful creepers and festoons. The city of Lanka appeared like Amaravati, the city of gods.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāvaṇa
• Hanumān
• rākṣasa

FAQs

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

Abduction and coercive confinement are marked as adharma; power used to sustain wrongdoing (even with strong security) is ethically illegitimate.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān notes that Laṅkā’s security is intensified specifically because Sītā has been abducted and held there.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Hanumān’s strategic prudence: he recognizes the danger and the reason for heightened vigilance, guiding his careful approach.