Shloka 5.55.17
लङ्कादाहानन्तरचिन्ता — Hanuman’s Post-Conflagration Self-Examination and Assurance of Sita’s Safety
विनष्टायां तु सीतायां तावुभौ विनशिष्यतः।तयोर्विनाशे सुग्रीवः सबन्धुर्विनशिष्यति।।।।
dhig astu rājasaṁ bhāvam anīśam anavasthitam | īśvareṇāpi yad rāgān mayā sītā na rakṣitā ||
Shame upon this rājasic, uncontrolled, and unstable impulse—for though I had the power, out of passion I did not protect Sītā.
'If the two princes know about Sita's loss they will die and when they are dead Sugriva would perish along with all his relatives.
Dharma is upheld through self-mastery: power without restraint becomes dangerous. Hanumān recognizes that passion (rāga/rajas) can obstruct righteous duty (protecting Sītā).
Hanumān reflects after the burning of Laṅkā, fearing that his actions may have endangered Sītā and thus failed the mission entrusted by Rāma.
Self-criticism grounded in truth (satya) and duty-sense—he admits fault rather than hiding behind capability or intent.