Shloka 5.55.9

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

Devanagari script

यदर्थमयमारम्भस्तत्कार्यमवसादितम्।मया हि दहता लङ्कां न सीता परिरक्षिता।।।।

Transliteration

yadartham ayam ārambhas tat kāryam avasāditam | mayā hi dahatā laṅkāṁ na sītā parirakṣitā ||

Translation

The very objective for which this effort was undertaken has been brought to ruin; for while I burned Laṅkā, I did not protect Sītā.

Context

'My very mission is foiled. Sita has not been protected by me for no part of Lanka has escaped unburnt.

Characters & Entities

• Laṅkā
• Sītā

FAQs

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

Dharma warns that right ends require right means: achieving a goal cannot justify actions that endanger the very person one is duty-bound to protect.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān assesses his actions and fears that burning Laṅkā may have compromised Sītā’s safety, thus undermining the mission’s central aim.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prioritization of duty: Hanumān recognizes that protecting Sītā outweighs all other achievements.