Shloka 5.51.26

हनूमदुपदेशः रावणस्य च कोपः (Hanuman’s Counsel to Ravana and Ravana’s Wrath)

Devanagari script

अवध्यतां तपोभिर्यां भवान् समनुपश्यति।आत्मनः सासुरैर्देवैर्हेतुस्तत्राप्ययं महान्।।।।

Transliteration

avadhyatāṃ tapobhir yāṃ bhavān samanupaśyati | ātmanaḥ sāsurair devair hetus tatrāpy ayaṃ mahān ||

Translation

By your austerities you perceive in yourself an inviolability—even against the gods together with the asuras; yet even so, this very matter can become a great cause of your death.

Context

"You know you will not be killed by asuras or gods. In that case also this (keeping Sita with you) may be the prime cause of your death.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Devas
• Asuras

FAQs

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

Power and boons do not override moral law: adharma generates its own fatal causes, even when ordinary threats seem excluded.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān undermines Rāvaṇa’s confidence in invulnerability, warning that Sītā’s wrongful captivity itself will trigger his downfall.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Truth-speaking with strategic clarity—Hanumān points out the ethical loophole in Rāvaṇa’s sense of security.