Shloka 2
रावणान्तःपुरे शयनदर्शनम्
Hanumān Observes Rāvaṇa’s Inner Apartments and Sleeping Court
तत्र दिव्योपमं मुख्यं स्फाटिकं रत्नभूषितम्।अवेक्षमाणो हनुमान् ददर्श शयनासनम्।।5.10.1।।दान्तकाञ्चनचित्राङ्गैर्वैडूर्यैश्च वरासनैः।महार्हास्तरणोपेतैरुपपन्नं महाधनैः।।5.10.2।।
dāntakāñcanacitrāṅgair vaiḍūryaiś ca varāsanaiḥ |
mahārhāstaraṇopetair upapannaṃ mahādhanaiḥ ||5.10.2||
അവിടെ ഹനുമാൻ മഹാസമ്പത്തിനൊത്ത അത്യുത്തമമായ ശയ്യ കണ്ടു—ദന്തവും കാഞ്ചനവും ചേർത്ത് ചിത്രിതമായ ആസനങ്ങളോടും, വൈഡൂര്യമണികൾ പതിപ്പിച്ച ശ്രേഷ്ഠാസനങ്ങളോടും കൂടിയതും, അമൂല്യമായ വിരിപ്പുകളാൽ സമ്പന്നവുമായത്।
Hanuman saw the great Ravana's arms, which were like a pair of Indra's flag staff adorned with golden straps. The arms bore the marks of wounds caused by Airavata, (Indra's elephant), torn by the thunderbolt of Indra in war, and wounded by the discus of Lord Visnu. His strong, fleshy, wellbuilt arms, having auspicious thumbnails, shapely fingers and palms, pressed together, resembled the iron crowbars or beam used for main doors. The arms resembled elephant's trunks, tossed on a clean bed, resembling two fivehooded snakes (fingers like hoods), besmeared with cool, fragrant, red sandalpaste of excellent quality which looked red like the hare's blood. They were well massaged by the best of women with fine, fragrant sandal paste. They were the arms which could make yakshas, pannagas, gods and demons roar in fear at their sight.
FAQs
The verse indirectly highlights discernment (viveka) as part of dharma: Hanumān carefully observes his surroundings with alertness and restraint, using perception in service of a righteous mission rather than being distracted by luxury.
Inside Laṅkā, Hanumān is searching for Sītā. In Rāvaṇa’s inner chambers he notices the opulent bed and furnishings, indicating the demon-king’s immense wealth and power.
Hanumān’s vigilance and self-control: he sees splendor but remains focused on the task entrusted to him.