Shloka 5.2.52

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

Devanagari script

प्रासादमालाविततां स्तम्भैः काञ्चनराजतैः।शातकुम्भमयैर्जालैर्गन्थर्वनगरोपमाम्।।5.2.51।।सप्तभौमाष्टभौमैश्च स ददर्श महापुरीम्।तलैः स्फाटिकसंकीर्णैः कार्तस्वरविभूषितैः।।5.2.52।।

Transliteration

vaiḍūryamaṇicitraiś ca muktājālavibhūṣitaiḥ |

talaiḥ śuśubhire tāni bhavanāny atra rakṣasām ||

Translation

There the rākṣasas’ mansions shone in splendor—floors inlaid with vaiḍūrya gems and adorned with pearl-lattice ornamentation.

Context

Hanuman saw the city stretched with rows of buildings all over,with seven or eight storied mansions, which had pillars of gold and silver, windows with fretwork of gold, inlaid with crystals, floors decorated with gold, resembling the grand city of gandharvas.

Characters & Entities

• Laṅkā
• Rākṣasas

FAQs

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

The Ramayana repeatedly distinguishes outer brilliance from inner righteousness: wealth and beauty do not certify Dharma; ethical truth depends on conduct.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān (through the narrator’s description) observes the opulent residences within Laṅkā as he continues his covert movement.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral clarity and focus: the surroundings impress the senses, but the mission remains centered on Satya and rescue.