पुष्पकविमानदर्शनम् (Vision of the Pushpaka Aerial Chariot)
सुन्दरकाण्ड
In this sarga, Hanumān—moving through the inner spaces of Laṅkā’s palatial architecture—observes the Pushpaka vimāna positioned within the mansion’s center. The chapter is primarily descriptive (vastu-varṇana): the aerial chariot is portrayed as gem-inlaid, diamond-adorned, and fitted with latticed windows of burnished gold. Its craftsmanship is attributed to Viśvakarman and framed as beyond ordinary measure, shining like a beacon in the solar path. The narration emphasizes that nothing in it is uncrafted or non-precious; its uniqueness surpasses even divine standards, suggesting royal sovereignty and superhuman resources. The vimāna is further characterized as responsive to the master’s intention—able to reach desired places by thought—furnished with multiple special resting areas, and shaped like a mountain peak with many wondrous towers. Finally, its conveyance by thousands of swift, fearsome bhūta-groups (night-ranging beings) is noted, culminating in Hanumān’s appraisal of its beauty as exceeding even springtime’s charm. Thematically, the sarga juxtaposes Laṅkā’s opulence with the ethical mission of restraint and observation.
Verse 5.8.1
स तस्य मध्ये भवनस्य संस्थितंमहद्विमानं मणिवज्रचित्रितम्।प्रतप्तजाम्बूनदजालकृत्रिमंददर्श वीरः पवनात्मजः कपिः।।।।
In the midst of that mansion, the heroic monkey—Hanumān, son of the Wind—beheld a great vimāna, adorned with work of gems and diamonds, and fitted with lattice-like windows fashioned of burnished gold.
Verse 5.8.2
तदप्रमेयाप्रतिकारकृत्रिमंकृतं स्वयं साध्विति विश्वकर्मणा।दिवं गतं वायुपथप्रतिष्ठितंव्यराजतादित्यपथस्य लक्ष्मवत्।।।।
That vimāna, fashioned by Viśvakarman himself as a flawless achievement, with workmanship beyond measure and beyond imitation, seemed to have risen into the sky and taken its station upon the path of the winds, shining like a radiant sign upon the Sun’s course.
Verse 5.8.3
न तत्र किञ्चिन्न कृतं प्रयत्नतोन तत्र किञ्चिन्न महार्हरत्नवत्।न ते विशेषा नियताः सुरेष्वपिन तत्र किञ्चिन्न महाविशेषवत्।।।।
In that Puṣpaka there was nothing not wrought with painstaking care, nothing not set with precious gems. Such extraordinary splendors are found not even among the gods; indeed, there was nothing there that was not supremely distinctive.
Verse 5.8.4
तपः समाधानपराक्रमार्जितंमनः समाधानविचारचारिणम्।अनेकसंस्थानविशेषनिर्मितंततस्ततस्तुल्यविशेषदर्शनम्।।।।
It had been obtained through austerity, mastery, and heroic power; and it moved in accord with the composed intention and thought of its lord. Fashioned with many distinctive arrangements, it appeared everywhere with equal and unwavering excellence.
Verse 5.8.5
विशेषमालम्ब्य विशेषसंस्थितंविचित्रकूटं बहुकूटमण्डितम्।मनोऽभिरामं शरदिन्दुनिर्मलंविचित्रकूटं शिखरं गिरेर्यथा।।।।
Resting upon a special design and set in a distinctive arrangement, it rose with wondrous peaks and was adorned with many pinnacles. Delightful to the mind and pure as the autumn moon, it looked like a mountain summit crowned with marvelous ridges.
Verse 5.8.6
वहन्ति यं कुण्डलशोभिताननाःमहाशना व्योमचरा निशाचराः।विवृत्तविध्वस्तविशाललोचनाःमहाजवा भूतगणाः सहस्रशः।।।।
Thousands of hosts of bhūtas bore it—night-roaming beings that moved through the sky, their faces radiant with earrings, gluttonous by nature, swift in motion, and dreadful with wide, rolling eyes.
Verse 5.8.7
वसन्तपुष्पोत्करचारुदर्शनंवसन्तमासादपि कान्तदर्शनम्।स पुष्पकं तत्र विमानमुत्तमंददर्श तद्वानरवीरसत्तमः।।।।
There the foremost hero among the vānaras beheld the excellent aerial chariot Puṣpaka—beautiful like a heap of spring blossoms, and more enchanting even than the spring season itself.