Shloka 5.5.1

चन्द्रप्रकाशे लङ्कानिरीक्षणम् — Moonlit Survey of Lanka and the Unfound Sita

Devanagari script

ततः स मध्यंगतमंशुमन्तं ज्योत्स्नावितानं महदुद्वमन्तम्।ददर्श धीमान् दिवि भानुमन्तं गोष्ठे वृषं मत्तमिव भ्रमन्तम्।।5.5.1।।

Transliteration

tataḥ sa madhyaṅgatam aṁśumantaṁ jyotsnāvitānaṁ mahad udvamantam |

dadarśa dhīmān divi bhānumantaṁ goṣṭhe vṛṣaṁ mattam iva bhramantam ||5.5.1||

Translation

Then the wise Hanumān beheld the moon risen to mid-sky, pouring forth a vast canopy of moonlight—bright as the sun in heaven—wandering as though a mighty bull, intoxicated, were roaming in a cattle-stall.

Context

Then intelligent Hanuman observed the Moon in the central part of the sky spreading a canopy of his luminescence like the Sun, and looking like an intoxicated mighty (white) bull moving in a stable.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Moon (Candra)

FAQs

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

The verse supports dharma indirectly by portraying Hanumān’s disciplined vigilance: even amid beauty and wonder, he stays focused on his righteous mission (seeking Sītā for Rāma).

What is the narrative situation?

At night in Laṅkā, Hanumān looks upward and notes the moon at mid-sky, whose light aids his careful reconnaissance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Alertness and steadiness of purpose (dhīmatva): Hanumān observes keenly, using the environment to proceed effectively in service of dharma.