Shloka 5.2.50
लङ्कादर्शनं तथा रात्रौ सूक्ष्मरूपेण प्रवेशोपायचिन्तनम् (Vision of Lanka and Strategy for Nocturnal Entry)
प्रदोषकाले हनुमांस्तूर्णमुत्प्लुत्य वीर्यवान्।प्रविवेश पुरीं रम्यां सुविभक्तमहापथाम्।।।।
prāsādamālāvitatāṁ stambhaiḥ kāñcanarājataiḥ |
śātakumbhamayair jālair gantharvanagaropamām ||
saptabhaumāṣṭabhaumaiś ca sa dadarśa mahāpurīm |
talaiḥ sphāṭikasaṅkīrṇaiḥ kārtasvaravibhūṣitaiḥ ||
He beheld the great city spread out with rows of mansions—pillars of gold and silver, latticed windows of pure gold—like a Gandharva-city; with seven- and eight-storied palaces, crystal-inlaid floors, and adornments of gleaming gold.
As soon as dusk had set in, courageous Hanuman jumped in and entered the well laid-out royal path of the beautiful city.
The verse invites discernment: dazzling prosperity can exist even in an unrighteous regime; Dharma requires seeing beyond external opulence to the moral truth of actions.
After entering Laṅkā, Hanumān observes the city’s extraordinary architecture and wealth as he proceeds with his mission.
Detachment and focus: despite being surrounded by splendor, Hanumān remains oriented toward Sītā and Rāma’s purpose.