Shloka 5.5.20
चन्द्रप्रकाशे लङ्कानिरीक्षणम् — Moonlit Survey of Lanka and the Unfound Sita
अप्रावृताः काञ्चनराजिवर्णाः काश्चित्परार्थ्यास्तपनीयवर्णाः।पुनश्च काश्चिच्छशलक्ष्मवर्णाः कान्तप्रहीणा रुचिराङ्गवर्णाः।।5.5.20।।
aprāvṛtāḥ kāñcana-rāji-varṇāḥ kāścit parārthyās tapanīya-varṇāḥ | punaś ca kāścic chaśa-lakṣma-varṇāḥ kānta-prahīṇā rucirāṅga-varṇāḥ ||5.5.20||
Some were unveiled, streaked with a golden hue; some shone like refined gold; and again, some—though lovely-limbed—were separated from their husbands and looked pale, like the Moon’s mark.
Ogresses without veil, some altruistic, some separated from their husbands looked pale like the Moon, though possessed of polished gold complexion.
By noting separation and pallor alongside beauty, the verse subtly reinforces the Ramāyaṇa theme that well-being is tied to right relationship and order—disruption of rightful bonds leads to suffering.
Hanumān surveys groups of women in Laṅkā and notes their differing states—adorned, unveiled, radiant, or distressed by separation.
Equanimity and focus: Hanumān registers detail but remains intent on the single aim—finding Sītā.