Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 9, Shloka 41
पुष्पकविमानवर्णनम्
Description of the Pushpaka Vimana and Ravana’s Inner Palace
सा तस्य शुशुभे शाला ताभिस्त्रीभिर्विराजिता।शारदीव प्रसन्ना द्यौस्ताराभिरभिशोभिता।।5.9.41।।
sā tasya śuśubhe śālā tābhis trībhiḥ virājitā | śāradīva prasannā dyaus tārābhir abhiśobhitā || 5.9.41 ||
Adorned by those women, his mansion shone—like the clear autumn sky, made all the more lovely by its stars.
Brightened by (the beauty of) the maidens, the mansion shone like the autumnal sky endearing and pleasing with stars.
FAQs
The verse contrasts outward splendor with implicit moral ambiguity: beauty and luxury can dazzle like a starry sky, yet Dharma asks one to judge by righteousness rather than appearance.
Hanumān, moving through Laṅkā, observes Rāvaṇa’s palace interiors and notes how the women’s presence makes the hall appear radiant.
Hanumān’s discernment and restraint: he observes carefully without becoming distracted by sensory allure, keeping his mission-centered focus.