Shloka 5.41.11

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

Devanagari script

इदं विध्वंसयिष्यामि शुष्कं वनमिवानलः।अस्मिन्भग्ने ततः कोपं करिष्यति दशाननः।।।।

Transliteration

idaṃ vidhvaṃsayiṣyāmi śuṣkaṃ vanam ivānalaḥ | asmin bhagne tataḥ kopaṃ kariṣyati daśānanaḥ ||5.41.11||

Translation

I shall destroy this place like fire consuming a dry forest; when it lies in ruin, Daśānana will then be stirred to wrath.

Context

'I will devastate this garden, just as fire destroys a dried up forest. This will enrage Ravana.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Aśoka-vana
• Daśānana (Rāvaṇa)

FAQs

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

Dharma here is strategic resistance to adharma: Hanumān plans an action that will draw out the oppressor’s response, enabling a larger righteous objective (Sītā’s rescue and the defeat of tyranny).

What is the narrative situation?

After meeting Sītā, Hanumān decides to wreck the garden to force a confrontation and gauge/engage Laṅkā’s defenses.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Hanumān’s fearless initiative coupled with strategic intelligence.