Shloka 5.58.29

सुन्दरकाण्डे अष्टपञ्चाशः सर्गः — हनुमद्वृत्तान्तकथनम्, सीताभिज्ञान-प्रदानम्, लङ्कादाह-वर्णनम्

Devanagari script

मत्प्रमाणानुरूपं च व्यादितं च मुखं तया।।।।तद्दृष्ट्वा व्यादितं चास्यं ह्रस्वं ह्यकरवं वपुः।तस्मिन्मुहूर्ते च पुनर्बभूवाङ्गुष्ठमात्रकः।।।।

Transliteration

kathaṃ dṛṣṭā tvayā devī kathaṃ vā tatra vartate |

tasyāṃ vā sa kathaṃvṛttaḥ krūrakarmā daśānanaḥ ||

Translation

How did you find the divine lady Sītā? How is she faring there? And how is the ten-headed one—cruel in deed—conducting himself toward her? Tell us what took place.

Context

"She too opened her mouth wide enough for my size. Seeing her distending her mouth, in a moment I became small equal to the size of thumb and came out.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā (Devī/Vaidehī)
• Rāvaṇa (Daśānana)

FAQs

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

Dharma here is responsible inquiry: leaders must seek truthful, specific information about an oppressed person’s condition and the oppressor’s conduct before deciding action.

What is the narrative situation?

After Hanumān’s return from Laṅkā, the Vanara leaders question him about Sītā’s state and Rāvaṇa’s behavior toward her.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Concern and accountability—careful, duty-driven questioning to protect Sītā and to plan righteous action.