Shloka 5.5.2

चन्द्रप्रकाशे लङ्कानिरीक्षणम् — Moonlit Survey of Lanka and the Unfound Sita

Devanagari script

लोकस्य पापानि विनाशयन्तं महोदधिं चापि समेधयन्तम्।भूतानि सर्वाणि विराजयन्तं ददर्श शीतांशुमथाभियान्तम्।।5.5.2।।

Transliteration

anyāḥ punar harmya-talopaviṣṭāḥ statra priyāṅkeṣu sukhopaviṣṭāḥ | bhartuḥ priyā dharma-parā niviṣṭā dadarśa dhīmān madanābhiviṣṭāḥ ||5.5.19||

Translation

And again the intelligent Hanumān saw others—seated upon the mansion-terraces, happily settled upon the laps of their beloveds—wives devoted to their husbands, absorbed in love and overcome by passion.

Context

While moving forward, Hanuman saw the Moon spreading his light, thereby warding off the agony of all creatures, causing the swelling of the ocean and illuminating the earth as well as the sky.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Laṅkā
• Mansion-terraces (harmya-tala)
• Kāma/Madana (as passion personified)

FAQs

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

The verse juxtaposes kāma (desire) with dharma: even amid passion, the women are described as ‘devoted to their husbands,’ hinting at the Ramāyaṇa’s recurring concern with rightful bonds and social duty.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān continues searching the palatial quarters of Laṅkā, noticing couples on terraces, yet still scanning for Sītā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Discernment (viveka): Hanumān observes intimate scenes without losing focus on his mission or slipping into distraction.