Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 14, Shloka 43
अशोकवनिकाविचारः
Survey of the Aśoka Grove and its Enchanted Landscape
अशोकवनिका चेयं दृढं रम्या दुरात्मनः।चम्पकैश्चन्दनैश्चापि वकुलैश्च विभूषिता।।।।
aśokavanikā ceyaṃ dṛḍhaṃ ramyā durātmanaḥ | campakaiś candanaiś cāpi vakulaiś ca vibhūṣitā ||
‘ಈ ಅಶೋಕವನಿಕೆ ನಿಶ್ಚಯವಾಗಿ ಅತಿ ರಮಣೀಯ—ಚಂಪಕ, ಚಂದನ ಮತ್ತು ವಕುಲ ಮರಗಳಿಂದ ಅಲಂಕರಿತ—ಆದರೆ ಇದು ಆ ದುಷ್ಟಾತ್ಮನ (ರಾವಣನ) ಸ್ವತ್ತು.’
"Surely this beautiful Ashoka grove with delightful champak, chandan and bakula trees belongs to the wicked Ravana."
FAQs
Dharma distinguishes inner moral worth from outward splendor: even a lovely place can be tied to adharma when possessed or used by a wicked ruler.
Hanumān recognizes the grove’s beauty and concludes it is part of Rāvaṇa’s domain within Laṅkā.
Moral discernment: Hanumān does not get captivated by beauty; he assesses ownership and ethical context.