Shloka 5.53.24

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

Devanagari script

दीप्यमाने ततस्तत्र लाङ्गूलाग्रे हनूमतः।।5.53.24।।राक्षस्यस्ता विरूपाक्ष्य श्शंसुर्देव्यास्तदप्रियम्।

Transliteration

dīpyamāne tatas tatra lāṅgūlāgre hanūmataḥ | rākṣasyas tā virūpākṣyaḥ śaṃsur devyās tad apriyam ||5.53.24||

Translation

Then, when the tip of Hanumān’s tail was burning there, those ugly-eyed rākṣasī women reported that distressing news to the lady (Sītā).

Context

When the tip of Hanuman's tail was set on fire, the ugly-eyed she-demon. Carried the unpleasant news to divine Sita.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Sītā
• rākṣasī (she-demons)
• fire (burning tail tip)

FAQs

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

It contrasts adharma (delighting in another’s pain and spreading fear) with Sītā’s dharmic compassion that follows in subsequent verses.

What is the narrative situation?

Rākṣasī guards inform Sītā that Hanumān’s tail has been set on fire.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s compassion is prepared by the verse’s shock; the immediate focus is the rākṣasīs’ harshness (a vice).