Shloka 5.56.13
षट्पञ्चाशः सर्गः — वैदेही-आश्वासनम् तथा अरिष्टारोहणम् (Consoling Sita and Ascending Mount Arishta)
देवदारुभिरत्युच्चैरूर्ध्वबाहुमिव स्थितम्।प्रपातजलनिर्घोषैः प्राक्रुष्टमिव सर्वतः।।।।
devadārubhir atyuccair ūrdhva-bāhum iva sthitam |
prapāta-jala-nirghoṣaiḥ prākruṣṭam iva sarvataḥ ||
With its very tall deodāra trees, the mountain looked as if it stood with arms raised aloft; and with the thunder of falling waters, it seemed to cry out from every side.
With the tall devadaru trees on the mountain, it appeared as if the sages were standing with shoulders lifted up and performing penance. The sounds of waterfalls filled all over with reverberations.
The imagery evokes ascetic posture (arms raised) and a ‘call’ resounding everywhere, suggesting vigilance and steadfastness—Dharmic qualities that parallel the epic’s insistence on unwavering commitment to righteous duty.
The narration paints the terrain’s grandeur and sound as part of the broader Sundarakāṇḍa movement around Hanumān’s mission and return.
Steadfastness (dhṛti): the mountain’s ‘raised-arm’ stance symbolically mirrors the endurance expected of those who follow Dharma.