Shloka 5.2.22

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

Devanagari script

वप्रप्राकारजघनां विपुलाम्बुनवाम्बराम्।शतघ्नीशूलकेशान्तामट्टालकवतंसकाम्।।5.2.21।।मनसेव कृतां लङ्कां निर्मितां विश्वकर्मणा।द्वारमुत्तरमासाद्य चिन्तयामास वानरः।।5.2.22।।

Transliteration

girimūrdhni sthitāṃ laṅkāṃ pāṇḍurair bhavanaiḥ śubhaiḥ | dadarśa sa kapiśreṣṭhaḥ puram ākāśagaṃ yathā ||

Translation

That foremost of monkeys saw Laṅkā set upon a mountain peak, with auspicious pale mansions, like a city that rose into the sky.

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
• mountain summit (girimūrdhan)
• mansions (bhavana)
• sky (ākāśa)

FAQs

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

Dharma is steadfastness amid intimidation: the city’s seemingly unreachable height does not negate the duty to pursue Satya and restore justice.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān views Laṅkā’s location and towering buildings, emphasizing its natural and built defenses.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Determination (niścaya): obstacles of scale and grandeur do not weaken Hanumān’s purpose.