Shloka 5.58.51

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

Devanagari script

तत्राहं सर्वरात्रं तु विचिन्वन् जनकात्मजाम्।रावणान्तःपुरगतो न चापश्यं सुमध्यमाम्।।।।

Transliteration

tatrāhaṃ sarva-rātraṃ tu vicinvan janakātmajām |

rāvaṇāntaḥpura-gato na cāpaśyaṃ su-madhyamām ||

Translation

There, having entered Rāvaṇa’s inner palace, I searched all night for Janaka’s daughter, yet I did not see that fair lady of slender waist.

Context

"There when I went to the harem of Ravana and searched all night, I did not find the fair-waisted Janaka's daughter.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā (Janakātmajā)
• Janaka
• Rāvaṇa
• Rāvaṇa’s antaḥpura (inner palace/harem)
• Laṅkā (implied)

FAQs

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

Truthful accountability in service: Hanumān reports even the failure to find Sītā, showing satya and integrity in duty-bound communication.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān describes entering Rāvaṇa’s inner quarters and searching throughout the night but not finding Sītā there.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Udyama (unrelenting effort) joined with satya (truthfulness) in reporting results.