Shloka 5.50.18
रावण-प्रहस्त-हनूमद्वार्ता (Ravana and Prahasta Question Hanuman)
राजानं द्रष्टुकामेन मयास्त्रमनुवर्तितम्।।5.50.17।।विमुक्तो ह्यहमस्त्रेण राक्षसैस्त्वभिपीडितः।केनचिद्राजकार्येण सम्प्राप्तोऽस्मि तवान्तिकम्।।5.50.18।।
astrapāśair na śakyo ’haṃ baddhuṃ devāsurair api |
pitāmahād eṣa varo mām apy eṣo ’bhyupāgataḥ |
“Even devas and asuras cannot bind me with the fetters of weapons. Such a boon—granted by the Grandfather, Brahmā—has come to me as well.”
"Wishing to see the king I honoured this astra and not otherwise. Even though I was tormented by the ogres and released by the astra I submitted to you as I have a small work assigned by the king.
Power is subordinated to dharma: Hanumān acknowledges divine order (Brahmā’s boon) rather than claiming mere personal superiority.
Hanumān explains that binding him by weapon-fetters is futile due to a boon, clarifying why capture by force is ineffective.
Composure and authority—he states facts about his protections without panic or pleading.