Shloka 5.43.21

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

Devanagari script

मादृशानां सहस्राणि विसृष्टानि महात्मनाम्।।5.43.20।।बलिनां वानरेन्द्राणां सुग्रीववशवर्तिनाम्।अटन्ति वसुधां कृत्स्नां वयमन्ये च वानराः।।5.43.21।।

Transliteration

dahyamānaṃ tato dṛṣṭvā prāsādaṃ hari-yūthapaḥ |

sa rākṣasa-śataṃ hatvā vajreṇendra ivāsurān ||5.43.19||

antari-kṣe sthitaḥ śrīmān idaṃ vacanam abravīt |

Translation

Then, seeing the palace ablaze, the leader of the monkey-host slew a hundred rākṣasas—just as Indra strikes down asuras with his thunderbolt. Standing in the air, the illustrious one spoke these words.

Context

"Thousands of huge and mighty monkeys, equal to me, loyal to king Sugriva, are coming under the orders and have been recruited from the entire earth. They are the best among monkeys.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Indra
• vajra (thunderbolt)
• rākṣasas
• asuras
• Laṅkā (implied by context)

FAQs

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

Defense of dharma through proportionate force: the verse frames Hanumān’s violence as righteous resistance to adharma, likened to Indra’s cosmic role against asuras.

What is the narrative situation?

The palace catches fire; Hanumān fights off rākṣasas, then takes an aerial position to announce a warning and message of impending consequences.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Parākrama (heroic prowess) combined with strategic communication—he fights, then declares intent and warning.