Shloka 5.2.41

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

Devanagari script

न विनश्येत्कथं कार्यं वैक्लब्यं न कथं भवेत्।लङ्घनं च समुद्रस्य कथं नु न वृथा भवेत्।।।।

Transliteration

na vinaśyet kathaṃ kāryaṃ vaiklabyaṃ na kathaṃ bhavet | laṅghanaṃ ca samudrasya kathaṃ nu na vṛthā bhavet ||

Translation

How can the task be kept from ruin? How can I avoid confusion and rashness? And how can my crossing of the ocean not become futile?

Context

'How should the task be performed? How to avoid impetuousness? How can my purpose of crossing the ocean be not wasted?

Characters & Entities

• Hanuman
• Ocean (samudra)

FAQs

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

Dharma is purposeful action: effort must be guided by self-control and clarity so that great exertions (like the ocean-crossing) culminate in the intended righteous outcome.

What is the narrative situation?

After entering Laṅkā, Hanumān checks himself: success now depends on careful conduct, not merely on having reached the enemy city.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Ātma-saṃyama (self-restraint): he actively guards against impulsiveness that could waste the entire enterprise.