Shloka 5.54.16

लङ्कादाहः — The Burning of Lanka (Catuḥpañcāśaḥ Sargaḥ)

Devanagari script

रश्मिकेतोश्च भवनं सूर्यशत्रोस्तथैव च।ह्रस्वकर्णस्य दंष्ट्रस्य रोमशस्य च रक्षसः।।5.54.12।।युद्धोन्मत्तस्य मत्तस्य ध्वजग्रीवस्य रक्षसः।विद्युज्जिह्वस्य घोरस्य तथा हस्तिमुखस्य च।।5.54.13।।करालस्य पिशाचस्य शोणिताक्षस्य चैव हि।कुम्भकर्णस्य भवनं मकराक्षस्य चैव हि।।5.54.14।।यज्ञशत्रोश्च भवनं ब्रह्मशत्रोस्तथैव च।नरान्तकस्य कुम्भस्य निकुम्भस्य दुरात्मनः।।5.54.15।।वर्जयित्वा महातेजा विभीषणगृहं प्रति।क्रममाणः क्रमेणैव ददाह हरिपुङ्गवः।।5.54.16।।

Transliteration

varjayitvā mahātejā vibhīṣaṇagṛhaṃ prati |

kramamāṇaḥ krameṇaiva dadāha haripuṅgavaḥ || 5.54.16 ||

Translation

The mighty, radiant leader of the monkeys moved on and—deliberately sparing Vibhīṣaṇa’s house—set the rest aflame, step by step.

Context

The brilliant monkey leader bypassed Vibhishanas's house and avoiding it that way set fire to the mansions of other ogres, Rasmiketu, Suryasatru, Hrasvakarna, Vajradamshtra, Romasa, Yuddhonmatta, Matta, Dhwajagriva, Vidyujjihva, Hastimukha, Karala, Pisacha, Sonitaksha, Kumbhakarna, Makaraksha, Yagnasatru, Brahmasatru, Naranthaka, Kumbha, and wicked Nikumbha.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Laṅkā

FAQs

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

Discriminating righteousness in action: Hanumān punishes wrongdoing in Laṅkā, yet spares Vibhīṣaṇa, recognizing virtue and loyalty to dharma even among enemies.

What is the narrative situation?

During the burning of Laṅkā, Hanumān proceeds through the city setting buildings on fire, but intentionally avoids burning Vibhīṣaṇa’s residence.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Viveka (moral discernment) and maryādā (restraint): Hanumān’s power is guided by ethical judgment rather than indiscriminate destruction.