Shloka 5.2.45

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

Devanagari script

इहाहं यदि तिष्ठामि स्वेन रूपेण संवृतः।विनाशमुपयास्यामि भर्तुरर्थश्च हीयते।।।।

Transliteration

ihāhaṁ yadi tiṣṭhāmi svena rūpeṇa saṁvṛtaḥ |

vināśam upayāsyāmi bhartur arthaś ca hīyate ||

Translation

If I remain here concealed in my own (full) form, I will come to ruin—and my lord’s mission will also be lost.

Context

'I will surely meet with death if I hide here in my original form and my master's mission also will be spoilt.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān

FAQs

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

Dharma here is responsibility to the entrusted task: Hanumān prioritizes the success of Rāma’s mission over personal ease or hesitation, recognizing that wrong strategy can cause both personal harm and failure of duty.

What is the narrative situation?

After reaching Laṅkā, Hanumān considers how to remain unnoticed; he reasons that staying there in his normal form risks capture or death and could jeopardize the rescue mission.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Practical wisdom (nīti) and accountability: he evaluates consequences and chooses what best serves his master’s purpose.