Shloka 5.5.8
चन्द्रप्रकाशे लङ्कानिरीक्षणम् — Moonlit Survey of Lanka and the Unfound Sita
प्रकाशचन्द्रोदयनष्टदोषः प्रवृत्तरक्षः पिशिताशदोषः।रामाभिरामेरितचित्तदोषः स्वर्गप्रकाशो भगवान् प्रदोषः।।5.5.8।।
prakāśa-candrodaya-naṣṭa-doṣaḥ pravṛtta-rakṣaḥ piśitāśa-doṣaḥ | rāmābhirāmerita-citta-doṣaḥ svarga-prakāśo bhagavān pradoṣaḥ || 5.5.8 ||
At twilight, when the radiant Moon rose, the fault of darkness was dispelled; the night-roaming rākṣasas, flesh-eaters, set about their grim ways; and women’s hearts were stirred toward love, while the splendid dusk spread a heaven-like brightness everywhere.
At the time of moon-rise, the darkness of dusk is dispelled, the dark deeds of cannibals disappear, the natural instinct for love returns to women as the radiance of the Moon spreads everywhere like in heaven.
The verse contrasts light that removes darkness with beings who still choose harmful action. Dharma is not merely external brightness; it is the choice to act rightly even when night permits concealment—satya and self-restraint remain decisive.
As moonrise transforms dusk, the city’s nocturnal patterns begin: ordinary domestic life and desire awaken, and rākṣasas begin their night activity—an ominous backdrop for Hanumān’s search.
Vigilance and moral clarity: the setting warns that darkness can return through conduct, so a dharmic agent must remain alert and truthful in intention.