Shloka 5.2.21

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

Devanagari script

वप्रप्राकारजघनां विपुलाम्बुनवाम्बराम्।शतघ्नीशूलकेशान्तामट्टालकवतंसकाम्।।।।मनसेव कृतां लङ्कां निर्मितां विश्वकर्मणा।द्वारमुत्तरमासाद्य चिन्तयामास वानरः।।।।

Transliteration

toraṇaiḥ kāñcanair divyair latāpaṅktivicitrītaiḥ | dadarśa hanumān laṅkāṃ divi devapurīṃ yathā ||

Translation

Hanumān beheld Laṅkā adorned with splendid golden arches, made lovely by patterned rows of creepers—like a city of the devas in heaven.

Context

Having reached the northern entrance of the city he started thinking that Visvakarma must have conceived Lanka as a lady with its ramparts as her hips and loins, moats filled with water as her robes, the spiked iron tridents as her locks of hair, and the tall towers as her her ear- rings

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Laṅkā
• toraṇa (arches)
• kāñcana (gold)
• latā (creepers)
• deva-purī (city of the gods)

FAQs

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

The verse teaches discernment: even if Adharma is clothed in divine beauty, one must hold to Satya and Dharma rather than be swayed by appearances.

What is the narrative situation?

From his vantage point, Hanumān sees Laṅkā’s ornate entrances and compares its splendor to a celestial city.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral clarity: Hanumān can admire the city’s beauty while remaining committed to rescuing Sītā.