Shloka 29

राक्षसेन्द्रनिवेशनविचारः

Survey of Ravana’s Residence and Lanka’s Inner Quarters

Devanagari script

रावणस्योपशायिन्यो ददर्श हरिसत्तमः।विचरन्हरिशार्दूलो राक्षसीर्विकृतेक्षणाः।।।।शूलमुद्गरहस्ताश्च शक्तितोमरधारिणी:।

Transliteration

rāvaṇasyopaśāyinyō dadarśa harisattamaḥ |

vicarann hariśārdūlo rākṣasīr vikṛtekṣaṇāḥ ||5.6.29||

śūlamudgarahastāś ca śaktitomaradhāriṇīḥ |

Translation

Al moverse por dentro, el mejor de los monos—tigre entre los vānara—vio junto al lecho de Rāvaṇa a rākṣasīs de mirada deformada y terrible, con tridentes y mazas en las manos, portando lanzas y jabalinas.

Word by Word

रावणस्यof Ravana

उपशायिन्यःlying near/attending (near his bed)

ददर्शsaw

हरिसत्तमःbest of the monkeys

विचरन्moving about

हरिशार्दूलःtiger among monkeys

राक्षसीःfemale demons (rakshasis)

विकृतेक्षणाःhaving hideous eyes

शूलमुद्गरहस्ताःwith tridents and hammers in hand

चand

शक्तितोमरधारिणीःbearing spears and javelins

Context

The heroic and powerful vanara saw at Ravana's residence demonesses with hideous eyes guarding the bed and an army of demons holding tridents, hammers, powerful javelins and iron cudgels.

Characters & Entities

Hanumān

Rāvaṇa

Rākṣasīs (demonesses)

Trident (śūla)

Spear (śakti)

FAQs

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

The verse highlights vigilance and responsibility (a secondary dharma of protection), while contrasting it with Rāvaṇa’s adharma: even disciplined guarding can serve unrighteous ends if the ruler’s cause is unjust.

What is the narrative situation?

Inside Rāvaṇa’s residence, Hanumān observes armed rākṣasī guards stationed near the king’s sleeping area.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Alertness and courage: Hanumān continues reconnaissance even amidst heavily armed guards.