Shloka 5.55.16
लङ्कादाहानन्तरचिन्ता — Hanuman’s Post-Conflagration Self-Examination and Assurance of Sita’s Safety
धिगस्तु राजसं भावमनीशमनवस्थितम्।ईश्वरेणापि यद्रागान्मया सीता न रक्षिता।।।।
tasyābhūt sumahāṁs trāsaḥ kutsā cātmany ajāyata | laṅkāṁ pradahatā karma kiṁsvit kṛtam idaṁ mayā ||
Overwhelmed by intense fear, Hanumān felt self-reproach within himself as he saw Laṅkā being consumed by fire, and he thought: “What dreadful deed has been done by me, burning Laṅkā?”
'Fie upon my hasty action commited due to lack of self-control. I did not save Sita eventhough the entire situation was under my control. (I had the capacity to save her. But I failed due to anger.)
Dharma requires accountability: even a successful act can become adharmic if driven by uncontrolled impulses or if it risks harm beyond necessity. Hanumān immediately subjects his own action to moral scrutiny.
After setting parts of Laṅkā on fire (following his capture and escape), Hanumān sees the city burning and fears that Sītā may have been harmed, leading to remorse.
Moral vigilance and humility—Hanumān does not justify himself; he evaluates consequences and feels responsible for possible wrongdoing.