Valmiki Ramayana 5.11.9 — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 11, Shloka 9
रावणान्तःपुर-पानभूमि-विचयः
Hanumān’s Survey of Rāvaṇa’s Inner Palace and Banquet Hall
स राक्षसेन्द्रः शुशुभे ताभिः परिवृतस्स्वयम्।।5.11.9।।करेणुभिर्यथाऽरण्ये परिकीर्णो महाद्विपः।
sa rākṣasendraḥ śuśubhe tābhiḥ parivṛtaḥ svayam |
kareṇubhir yathā'raṇye parikīrṇo mahādvipaḥ ||
Rodeado por aquellas mujeres, el señor de los rākṣasas resplandecía, como un gran elefante en el bosque, cercado por elefantas dispersas en torno.
Surrounded by the women, the demon king shone like a proud elephant attended by many female elephants scattered in a dense forest.
FAQs
The verse indirectly contrasts outer splendor with inner righteousness: worldly glamour and power can appear radiant, yet Dharma evaluates character and conduct rather than mere magnificence.
Hanumān, moving through Laṅkā, observes Rāvaṇa within his luxurious inner quarters, surrounded by women; the narrator depicts the scene through a vivid simile.
By implication, Hanumān’s discernment and self-control: he witnesses seductive opulence yet remains focused on his duty—finding Sītā.
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