Shloka 5.54.23
लङ्कादाहः — The Burning of Lanka (Catuḥpañcāśaḥ Sargaḥ)
तानि काञ्चनजालानि मुक्तामणिमयानि च।भवनान्यवशीर्यन्त रत्नवन्ति महान्ति च।।।।
saṃjajñe tumulaś śabdo rākṣasānāṃ pradhāvatām |
svagṛhasya paritrāṇe bhagnotsāhorjitaśriyām ||
nūnam eṣo 'gnir āyātaḥ kapirūpeṇa hā iti |
A tumultuous uproar arose among the rākṣasas as they ran about to save their own houses—their confidence shattered along with their amassed splendor—crying, “Surely this is Fire himself, come in the form of a monkey—alas!”
The palatial structures with windows of golden mesh-work, embedded with pearls and gems and other precious stones tumbled.
Adharma breeds fear and insecurity: when wrongdoing matures into consequence, even the powerful interpret it as divine retribution and lose inner steadiness.
As the city burns, rākṣasas run to save their homes; panic spreads and they exclaim that Fire itself has come in a monkey’s form.
Implicit contrast: the rākṣasas show bhaya (fear) and moha (attachment to property), while Hanumān’s dharmic courage remains unwavering.