Shloka 5.53.23

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

Devanagari script

स्त्रीबालवृद्धाः निर्जग्मुस्तत्र तत्र कुतूहलात्।।5.53.23।।तं प्रदीपितलाङ्गूलं हनुमन्तं दिदृक्षवः।

Transliteration

strī-bāla-vṛddhāḥ nirjagmus tatra tatra kutūhalāt | taṃ pradīpita-lāṅgūlaṃ hanumantaṃ didṛkṣavaḥ ||5.53.23||

Translation

Driven by curiosity, women, children, and the aged came out here and there, eager to see Hanumān with his tail ablaze.

Context

With eagerness to have a glance at Hanuman's blazing tail, women, children and the aged here and there came out of eagerness to see him.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Laṅkā populace (women, children, elders)
• blazing tail (lāṅgūla)

FAQs

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

The verse cautions that curiosity can normalize cruelty; dharma encourages compassion and restraint when witnessing another’s suffering.

What is the narrative situation?

As Hanumān is paraded with his tail on fire, civilians come out to watch the spectacle.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Hanumān’s forbearance (kṣamā) amid public harassment.