Shloka 5.30.34

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

Devanagari script

कामं हन्तुं समर्थोऽस्मि सहस्राण्यपि रक्षसाम्।।।।न तु शक्ष्यामि सम्प्राप्तुं परं पारं महोदधेः।

Transliteration

kāmaṃ hantuṃ samartho 'smi sahasrāṇy api rakṣasām | na tu śakṣyāmi samprāptuṃ paraṃ pāraṃ mahodadheḥ ||

Translation

I could, if I chose, slay even thousands of Rākṣasas; yet after that I might not be able to reach the far shore of the great ocean again.

Context

"I may be capable of killing even thousands of demons but thereafter (thoroughly exhausted) reach the other side of the ocean.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Rākṣasas
• Mahodadhi (the great ocean)

FAQs

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

Dharma as goal-oriented restraint: even justified strength should be governed by mission-purpose; unnecessary combat that jeopardizes return and reporting is ethically unsound.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān considers that open fighting in Laṅkā—even if he wins—could drain him and prevent his safe return across the ocean to inform Rāma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Self-control and prioritization: he places the success of Rāma’s cause above personal display of power.