Shloka 5.41.10

प्रमदावनविध्वंसः | The Devastation of the Pleasure-Garden (Ashoka Vatika)

Devanagari script

इदमस्य नृशंसस्य नन्दनोपममुत्तमम्।वनं नेत्रमनःकान्तं नानाद्रुमलतायुतम्।।।।

Transliteration

idam asya nṛśaṃsasya nandanopamam uttamam | vanaṃ netramanaḥkāntaṃ nānādrumalatāyutam ||5.41.10||

Translation

This excellent garden of that cruel one—like Indra’s Nandana—delights both eye and mind, filled with many kinds of trees and creepers.

Context

'This Ashoka garden of Ravana filled with different kinds of trees and creepers is a feast to the eyes and mind. It is an excellent garden like the Nandana garden of Indra.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Aśoka-vana
• Nandana (Indra’s garden)
• Indra (implied)

FAQs

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

The verse highlights an ethical contrast: outward splendor can coexist with inner cruelty. Dharma judges by conduct and truth, not by wealth or beauty.

What is the narrative situation?

As Hanumān moves within Laṅkā, he observes the grandeur of Rāvaṇa’s Aśoka garden where Sītā is held.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Hanumān’s attentive discernment: he assesses the environment strategically while keeping moral clarity about Rāvaṇa’s nature.