Shloka 5.50.1

रावण-प्रहस्त-हनूमद्वार्ता (Ravana and Prahasta Question Hanuman)

Devanagari script

तमुद्वीक्ष्य महाबाहुः पिङ्गाक्षं पुरत स्थितम्।कोपेन महताऽविष्टो रावणो लोकरावणः।।।।शङ्काहृतात्मा दध्यौ स कपीन्द्रं तेजसावृतम्।

Transliteration

tam udvīkṣya mahābāhuḥ piṅgākṣaṃ purataḥ sthitam | kopena mahatā 'viṣṭo rāvaṇo loka-rāvaṇaḥ || śaṅkā-hṛtātmā dadhyau sa kapīndraṃ tejasāvṛtam |

Translation

Seeing the tawny-eyed lord of monkeys standing before him, the mighty-armed Rāvaṇa—terror to the worlds—was seized by great anger; yet, his mind troubled by doubt, he pondered the monkey-chief who was wrapped in splendour.

Context

The mighty- armed Ravana, a tormentor of all worlds, overcome with anger beheld the tawny-eyed brilliant lord of monkeys who stood before him and started thinking in his mind full of apprehensions.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Hanumān (kapīndra, piṅgākṣa)
• Rākṣasa court/Laṅkā (implied)

FAQs

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

Unchecked anger clouds judgment, while doubt arises when one confronts unexpected moral power (tejas). The dharmic lesson is that inner discipline—control of krodha (anger)—is necessary for right discernment and just action.

What is the narrative situation?

After Hanumān is brought to the assembly, Rāvaṇa looks at him directly, becomes enraged, yet is unsettled by Hanumān’s extraordinary radiance and begins to deliberate.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Hanumān’s fearless dignity and spiritual brilliance (tejas), which can shake even a powerful antagonist and forces recognition beyond mere appearance.