Shloka 5.2.19
लङ्कादर्शनं तथा रात्रौ सूक्ष्मरूपेण प्रवेशोपायचिन्तनम् (Vision of Lanka and Strategy for Nocturnal Entry)
गिरिमूर्ध्निं स्थितां लङ्कां पाण्डुरैर्भवनैः शुभैः।ददर्श स कपिश्रेष्ठः पुरमाकाशगं यथा।।।।
sītāpaharaṇārthena rāvaṇena surakṣitām | samantād vicaradbhiś ca rākṣasair ugradhanvibhiḥ ||
With Sītā’s abduction in view, Rāvaṇa kept it under tight guard, and on every side it was protected by roaming rākṣasas bearing dreadful bows.
The foremost among the vanaras, perched on top of the mountain saw the city of Lanka on the mountain with auspicious mansions as though touching the sky.
The verse implicitly contrasts Dharma and Adharma: Rāvaṇa’s ‘protection’ is motivated by an unrighteous act (abduction), showing that strategy and power, when rooted in Adharma, remain morally corrupt.
Hanumān notes that Laṅkā is under strict guard because Sītā is being held there after her abduction.
Hanumān’s vigilance and mission-focus: he reads the security measures as directly tied to Sītā’s captivity.