Shloka 5.53.5

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

Devanagari script

ततः पश्यन्त्विमं दीनमङ्गवैरूप्यकर्शितम्।समित्रज्ञातयस्सर्वे बान्धवाः ससुहृज्जनाः।।5.53.4।।आज्ञापयद्राक्षसेन्द्रः पुरं सर्वं सचत्वरम्।लाङ्गूलेन प्रदीप्तेन रक्षोभिः परिणीयताम्।।5.53.5।।

Transliteration

tasya tad-vacanaṁ śrutvā rākṣasāḥ kopakarśitāḥ |

veṣṭayanti sma lāṅgūlaṁ jīrṇaiḥ kārpāsakaiḥ paṭaiḥ || 5.53.6 ||

Translation

Hearing his command, the rākṣasas—consumed by fierce wrath—wrapped Hanumān’s tail in worn, tattered cotton cloths.

Context

"Then all his friends, relatives and his kinsmen will see his disfigured and handicapped form. The demon king having ordered thus, the monkey was taken by the ogres round the junctions of the roads all over the city with his tail on fire.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa (implied by 'his command')
• Rākṣasas
• Hanumān (tail)

FAQs

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

Anger (krodha) is shown as a driver of adharma: it pushes beings toward cruelty and shortsighted actions that ultimately backfire—here, the very act of preparing the fire becomes the cause of Laṅkā’s terror.

What is the narrative situation?

Following Rāvaṇa’s order, the rākṣasas prepare Hanumān’s tail for burning by wrapping it with cotton rags to feed the flames.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast through negation: the rākṣasas’ lack of restraint is highlighted, setting up Hanumān’s composure and resilience under unjust treatment.