Shloka 5.55.14

लङ्कादाहानन्तरचिन्ता — Hanuman’s Post-Conflagration Self-Examination and Assurance of Sita’s Safety

Devanagari script

कथं हि जीवता शक्यो मया द्रष्टुं हरीश्वरः।तौ वा पुरुषशार्दूलौ कार्यसर्वस्वघातिना।।।।

Transliteration

kathaṃ hi jīvatā śakyo mayā draṣṭuṃ harīśvaraḥ |

tau vā puruṣaśārdūlau kāryasarvasvaghātinā ||

Translation

How could I, still alive, face the lord of the monkeys—or even those two tigers among men—after I have ruined everything that mattered in this undertaking?

Context

'Having spoilt the entire work how can I show my face to the king of monkeys? How is it possible to see both the tigers among men?

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Harīśvara (Sugrīva)
• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa

FAQs

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

Duty to truth and trust: Hanumān feels answerable to leaders and companions; dharma includes being worthy of the faith placed in oneself.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān imagines returning after failure and dreads facing Sugrīva, Rāma, and Lakṣmaṇa.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Loyalty and honor: he measures himself by fidelity to the mission and the expectations of righteous leaders.