Shloka 5.53.9

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

Devanagari script

लाङ्गूलं सम्प्रदीप्तं तु द्रष्टुं तस्य हनूमतः।।5.53.9।।सहस्त्रीबालवृद्धाश्च जग्मुः प्रीता निशाचराः।

Transliteration

lāṅgūlaṁ sampradīptaṁ tu draṣṭuṁ tasya hanūmataḥ | sahastrī-bāla-vṛddhāś ca jagmuḥ prītā niśācarāḥ || 5.53.9 ||

Translation

To behold Hanumān’s tail blazing in full, the night-roamers went out in delight—women, children, and the elderly along with them.

Context

All the demons including the she-demons and their children and the elders went out joyfully to see the burning tail of Hanuman.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Niśācaras (Rākṣasas)

FAQs

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

Adharma normalizes cruelty: collective delight in another’s suffering shows ethical collapse, warning that society-wide approval of wrongdoing invites downfall.

What is the narrative situation?

Laṅkā’s inhabitants gather to enjoy the spectacle of Hanumān’s burning tail, treating punishment as entertainment.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast (implicitly), Hanumān’s forbearance and purpose: he remains mission-focused despite public humiliation.