Shloka 5.43.13

चैत्यप्रासाद-विध्वंसः (Destruction of the Chaitya Palace and Hanuman’s Proclamation)

Devanagari script

तेन शब्देन महता चैत्यपालाश्शतं ययुः।गृहीत्वा विविधानस्त्रान्प्रासान्खङ्गान्परश्वथान्।।।।विसृजन्तो महाकाया मारुतिं पर्यवारयन्।

Transliteration

tena śabdena mahatā caitya-pālāḥ śataṃ yayuḥ |

gṛhītvā vividhān astrān prāsān khaṅgān paraśvathān ||

visṛjanto mahā-kāyā mārutiṃ paryavārayan |

Translation

Stirred by that mighty sound, a hundred guards of the caitya rushed forth. Seizing diverse weapons—spears, swords, and axes—those huge-bodied warriors hurled them and surrounded Māruti (Hanumān).

Context

Hearing the terrific sound, a hundred gigantic guards of the palace set forth, holding different kinds of weapons like darts, swords and axes and hurled at Maruti surrounding him.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān (Māruti)
• Caitya-pālas (palace/temple guards)
• Weapons (prāsa, khaṅga, paraśvatha)

FAQs

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

The episode highlights the clash between protected duty and wrongful power: the guards act as defenders of their realm, yet they stand in service of an adharma-king—showing how loyalty without righteousness can mislead.

What is the narrative situation?

The palace guards respond to Hanumān’s roar, arm themselves, and form a surrounding attack.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

For Hanumān: steadfastness under pressure; for the guards: disciplined mobilization—though ethically compromised by their cause.