Shloka 5.30.33

हनुमता सीतासंवादोपायचिन्ता — Hanuman’s Deliberation on How to Address Sita

Devanagari script

विमृशंश्च न पश्यामि यो हते मयि वानरः।।।।शतयोजनविस्तीर्णं लङ्घयेत महोदधिम्।

Transliteration

vimṛśaṃś ca na paśyāmi yo hate mayi vānaraḥ | śatayojanavistīrṇaṃ laṅghayet mahodadhim ||

Translation

Even after careful reflection, I do not see any other Vānara who—if I were slain—could leap across the vast ocean, a hundred yojanas wide, to reach here again.

Context

"When I am killed here, I cannot see any other vanara who can leap over a hundred yojanas of the ocean (to reach this place).

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Vānara
• Mahodadhi (the great ocean)

FAQs

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

Responsible duty through realistic self-assessment: Hanumān weighs the mission’s fragility and the consequences if the capable agent is lost, emphasizing prudent action rather than reckless confidence.

What is the narrative situation?

In Laṅkā, before speaking to Sītā, Hanumān reflects on the risks of failure—especially that no other Vānara may be able to replicate the ocean-crossing if he is killed.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudence (viveka) and accountability: he evaluates capability and contingency, keeping the larger goal—Sītā’s rescue—above personal bravado.