Shloka 15
अशोकवनिकायां सीतादर्शनम्
Sita Seen in the Ashoka Grove
शैलेन्द्रमिव गन्धाढ्यं द्वितीयं गन्धमादनम्।अशोकवनिकायां तु तस्यां वानरपुङ्गवः।।।।स ददर्शाविदूरस्थं चैत्यप्रासादमुच्छ्रितम्।मथ्ये स्तम्भसहस्रेण स्थितं कैलासपाण्डुरम्।।।।प्रवालकृतसोपानं तप्तकाञ्चनवेदिकम्।मुष्णन्तमिव चक्षूंषि द्योतमानमिव श्रिया।।।।विमलं प्रांशुभावत्वादुल्लिखन्तमिवाम्बरम्।
śailendram iva gandhāḍhyaṃ dvitīyaṃ gandhamādanam |
aśokavanikāyāṃ tu tasyāṃ vānarapuṅgavaḥ || 5.15.15 ||
उस अशोक-वाटिका में वानरश्रेष्ठ ने सुगन्ध से परिपूर्ण उस रम्य दृश्य को देखा—मानो गन्धमादन पर्वत का दूसरा रूप, किसी शैलेन्द्र-शिखर के समान।
The monkey leader saw a lofty temple-like structure in the midst of the Ashoka grove which was highly fragrant and appeared like another indescribable structure that stood on a thousand pillars like another Gandhamadana mountain. It gleamed white like mount Kailasa. Its stairs were paved with corals. The altars were made of brightly polished gold. This structure glowing with brilliance was as if stealing the eyes. It looked white with light and lofty as though scratching the sky.
FAQs
Dharma appears as purposeful action: Hanuman enters an extraordinary space not for enjoyment but for service to Rāma and compassion for Sītā—showing that right intent governs right use of place and power.
The narration transitions from describing the grove to Hanuman’s direct seeing of notable structures within it.
Service-minded discipline (sevā and niyama): Hanuman remains mission-centered amid grandeur.