Shloka 5.53.21

लाङ्गूलदाह-पर्यटनम् (The Burning Tail and the Parade through Laṅkā)

Devanagari script

वीथीश्च गृहसम्बाधाः कपिश्शृङ्गाटकानि च।तथा रथ्योपरथ्याश्च तथैव गृहकान्तरान्।।5.53.21।।गृहांश्च मेघसङ्काशान् ददर्श पवनात्मजः।

Transliteration

vīthīś ca gṛha-sambādhāḥ kapiś śṛṅgāṭakāni ca | tathā rathyoparathyāś ca tathaiva gṛha-kāntarān ||5.53.21|| gṛhāṃś ca megha-saṅkāśān dadarśa pavanātmajaḥ |

Translation

Pavana’s son saw streets crowded with houses, lofty junction-buildings and crossroads, main roads and side lanes, inner passages between houses, and dwellings that looked like clouds.

Context

The son of the Wind-god saw the streets with beautiful, tall mansions and houses appearing like clouds, highways and byways and secret routes.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Pavana (Wind-god)
• Laṅkā (implied)
• vīthī (streets)
• śṛṅgāṭaka (crossroads/junction)

FAQs

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

A well-ordered city can exist without true dharma; the verse invites reflection that external prosperity and planning do not guarantee inner righteousness.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān, under escort for punishment, surveys the dense and complex street-network of Laṅkā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfastness and situational intelligence: Hanumān keeps gathering information even in captivity.