Shloka 5.53.44

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

Devanagari script

स तान्निहत्त्वा रणचण्डविक्रम स्समीक्षमाणः पुनरेव लङ्काम्।प्रदीप्तलाङ्गूलकृतार्चिमाली प्रकाशतादित्य इवार्चिमाली।।5.53.44।।

Transliteration

sa tān nihattvā raṇacaṇḍavikramaḥ samīkṣamāṇaḥ punar eva laṅkām |

pradīpta-lāṅgūla-kṛtārcimālī prakāśatāditya ivārcimālī || 5.53.44 ||

Translation

After slaying them, Hanumān—terrible in battle—looked once more upon Laṅkā. With his blazing tail forming a garland of flames, he shone like the sun wreathed in rays.

Context

Hanuman, who was of fearsome valour in war with the demons, having killed them, gazed at Lanka once again. Garlanded by the flames of his tail around, he shone like the Sun covered with garlands of rays.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē sundarakāṇḍē tripañcāśassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the fiftythird sarga of Sundarakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Laṅkā
• Āditya (Sun)

FAQs

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

Dharma is depicted as luminous and unstoppable: when action is aligned with truth and duty, it gains a radiance that overawes oppression and inspires moral confidence.

What is the narrative situation?

Having cleared the guards, Hanumān pauses to survey Laṅkā again, his flaming tail making him blaze like the sun—foreshadowing the city’s impending burning.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Indomitable valor joined with clarity of purpose—he remains focused on the larger objective, not merely the immediate fight.