Shloka 5.5.3
चन्द्रप्रकाशे लङ्कानिरीक्षणम् — Moonlit Survey of Lanka and the Unfound Sita
या भाति लक्ष्मीर्भुवि मन्दरस्था तथा प्रदोषेषु च सागरस्था।तथैव तोयेषु च पुष्करस्था रराज सा चारुनिशाकरस्था।।5.5.3।।
yā bhāti lakṣmīr bhuvi mandarasthā tathā pradoṣeṣu ca sāgarasthā | tathaiva toyeṣu ca puṣkarasthā rarāja sā cāru-niśākarasthā || 5.5.3 ||
The same splendour that shines on earth upon Mount Mandara, that gleams at twilight upon the ocean, and that abides in waters among lotuses—so too it shone there, seated upon the lovely Moon.
'The same splendour on the Mandara mountain on earth, which glows at dusk lay on the ocean is there, on lotuses in the lakes and on the beautiful Moon also.
The verse highlights śrī (auspicious splendour) as a sign of harmony and order in the world. In the Ramayana’s ethical imagination, such radiance symbolizes a dharmic cosmos—beauty and auspiciousness appear where balance and right order prevail.
During Hanumān’s night-time movement in Laṅkā (Sarga 5), the narration lingers on the moon and twilight atmosphere, setting a reflective mood before the more perilous episodes of searching for Sītā.
Hanumān’s attentive discernment (buddhi and viveka) is implied: he observes the environment with clarity and steadiness, a disciplined focus essential to his dharmic mission.