Shloka 5.49.17

रावणदर्शनम् — Hanuman Beholds Ravana in Court

Devanagari script

अहो रूपमहो धैर्यमहो सत्त्वमहो द्युतिः।अहो राक्षसराजस्य सर्वलक्षणयुक्तता।।5.49.17।।

Transliteration

aho rūpam aho dhairyam aho sattvam aho dyutiḥ | aho rākṣasarājasya sarvalakṣaṇayuktatā ||5.49.17||

Translation

Ah—what beauty, what courage, what strength, what radiance! How wondrous that the king of the Rakṣasas bears every mark of excellence.

Context

'Oh! what charm! what courage! what strength! what splendour! How great is this demon-king, an endowment of all merits.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Rāvaṇa (rākṣasarāja)

FAQs

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

Ethical perception can acknowledge an enemy’s virtues truthfully (satya) while still condemning adharma; dharma does not require denial of facts.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanuman, observing Ravana, mentally enumerates his impressive qualities and kingly marks.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Satya and fairness of judgment: Hanuman can recognize excellence even in an adversary.