Shloka 5.49.4

रावणदर्शनम् — Hanuman Beholds Ravana in Court

Devanagari script

महार्हक्षौमसंवीतं रक्तचन्दनरूषितम्।स्वानुलिप्तं विचित्राभिर्विविधाभिश्च भक्तिभिः।।5.49.4।।

Transliteration

nīlāñjanacayaprakhyaṃ hāreṇorasi rājatā |

pūrṇacandrābhavaktreṇa sabalākam ivāmbudam ||5.49.7||

Translation

Dark as a mass of collyrium, yet on his chest a pearl necklace shone; and with a face like the full moon, he resembled a cloud lit by moonlight, with white cranes gliding across it.

Context

He was dressed in exquisite silk and smeared with red sandal paste and had many ornamental designs drawn on his body with fragrant unguents.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

The verse highlights the contrast between appearance and essence: Dharma trains one to see beyond dazzling imagery and evaluate truth through deeds (karma).

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa’s visual majesty is further described through poetic similes as Hanumān studies him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Attentive intelligence—Hanumān’s careful observation supports right action in a hostile environment.