Shloka 5.49.18

रावणदर्शनम् — Hanuman Beholds Ravana in Court

Devanagari script

यद्यधर्मो न बलवान् स्यादयं राक्षसेश्वरः।स्यादयं सुरलोकस्य सशक्रस्यापि रक्षिता।।5.49.18।।

Transliteration

yady adharmo na balavān syād ayaṃ rākṣaseśvaraḥ | syād ayaṃ suralokasya saśakrasyāpi rakṣitā ||5.49.18||

Translation

If unrighteousness were not so powerful in him, this lord of the Rakṣasas could have become the protector of the world of the gods—even of Indra himself.

Context

'If only this lord of demons was not unrighteous, he could have become even the lord (protector) of gods including Indra.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Rāvaṇa (Rākṣaseśvara)
• Suraloka (world of the gods)
• Indra (Śakra)

FAQs

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

Dharma is the decisive criterion for legitimate greatness: without righteousness, even extraordinary gifts become destructive rather than protective.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanuman concludes that Ravana’s downfall is not lack of capability, but the dominance of adharma in his character and choices.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral discernment: Hanuman distinguishes innate excellence from ethical failure, emphasizing that dharma governs true leadership.