Shloka 5.5.18
चन्द्रप्रकाशे लङ्कानिरीक्षणम् — Moonlit Survey of Lanka and the Unfound Sita
श्रिया ज्वलन्तीस्त्रपयोपगूढा निशीथकाले रमणोपगूढाः।ददर्श काश्चित्प्रमदोपगूढा यथा विहङ्गाः कुसुमोपगूढाः।।5.5.18।।
śriyā jvalantīs trapayopagūḍhā niśīthakāle ramaṇopagūḍhāḥ |dadarśa kāścit pramadopagūḍhā yathā vihaṅgāḥ kusumopagūḍhāḥ ||5.5.18||
He saw some women blazing with beauty, shyly held in embrace, clasped by their lovers in the deep of night; and he saw others wrapped in playful delight, like birds nestled amid flowers.
There he saw cheerful demonesses shining brightly, abashed by the embrace of their beloveds during the night. He also saw those sporting with their beloveds freely and looking like birds embracing flowers.
The verse sets a backdrop of pleasure against which Hanumān’s dharma-driven restraint stands out: righteous duty persists even when the world is absorbed in enjoyment.
During midnight reconnaissance, Hanumān observes intimate scenes in Laṅkā’s inner quarters while continuing his search for Sītā.
Self-mastery (saṁyama): Hanumān remains controlled and purposeful amid sensual surroundings.