Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 9, Shloka 52
पुष्पकविमानवर्णनम्
Description of the Pushpaka Vimana and Ravana’s Inner Palace
किङ्किणीजालसङ्कोशास्ता हैमविपुलाम्बुजाः।भावग्राहा यशस्तीराः सुप्ता नद्य इवाऽऽबभुः।।5.9.52।।
kiṅkiṇījālasaṅkośās tā haimavipulāmbujāḥ | bhāvagrāhā yaśastīrāḥ suptā nadya ivābabhuḥ || 5.9.52 ||
Jaring gelang lonceng kecil pada pinggang mereka tampak seperti kuncup yang mengatup; perhiasan emas yang lebar bagaikan teratai; gerak isyarat cinta laksana buaya yang menyergap hati; dan kemasyhuran mereka seperti tepi sungai yang berkilau—dalam tidur, mereka tampak seperti sungai yang tenang.
With their tiny bells round their girdle looking like buds, the bold golden ornamentslike lotuses, their gestures of love like crocodiles and their radiant beauty like silver banks, the women looked like smoky rivers.
FAQs
The verse warns by contrast: alluring ‘rivers’ can hide ‘crocodiles’—a dharmic reminder to discern danger beneath pleasure and to keep one’s aim truthful and vigilant.
The description intensifies: ornaments, gestures, and radiance are layered into a single river-metaphor as Hanumān continues his search in the women’s quarters.
Viveka (discernment): Hanumān’s ability to read appearances without losing judgment.