Shloka 5.5.27
चन्द्रप्रकाशे लङ्कानिरीक्षणम् — Moonlit Survey of Lanka and the Unfound Sita
सीतामपश्यन् मनुजेश्वरस्य रामस्य पत्नीं वदतां वरस्य।बभूव दुःखाभिहतश्चिरस्य प्लवङ्गमो मन्द इवाचिरस्य।।5.5.27।।
sītām apaśyan manujeśvarasya rāmasya patnīṃ vadatāṃ varasya | babhūva duḥkhābhihataś cirasya plavaṅgamo manda ivācirasya ||5.5.27||
Not finding Sītā, the wife of Rāma—the lord of men and best among speakers—Hanumān, after searching long, was struck by grief; for a short while he became as if dull and dispirited.
Hanuman stood grief-stricken, having (unsuccessfully) searched for a long time for the wife of Rama, the lord of men. The highly eloquent was now despondent. For a while he looked dull and dejected.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē sundarakāṇḍē pañcamassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the fifth sarga of Sundarakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
Dharma includes perseverance under emotional strain: even the devoted servant may feel grief, yet the righteous path requires recovering resolve and continuing the duty.
After extensive searching in Laṅkā’s palaces and quarters, Hanumān fails to find Sītā and briefly falls into despondency.
Human-like vulnerability paired with steadfast service: Hanumān’s momentary dejection highlights the weight of responsibility, preparing for renewed determination.