Shloka 32

रावणान्तःपुरे शयनदर्शनम्

Hanumān Observes Rāvaṇa’s Inner Apartments and Sleeping Court

Devanagari script

नृत्तवादित्रकुशला राक्षसेन्द्रभुजाङ्कगाः।वराभरणधारिण्यो निषण्णा ददृशे हरिः।।।।

Transliteration

nṛtta-vāditra-kuśalā rākṣasendra-bhujāṅkagāḥ |

varābharaṇa-dhāriṇyo niṣaṇṇā dadṛśe hariḥ ||

Translation

നൃത്തത്തിലും വാദ്യങ്ങളിലും നിപുണരായ, ശ്രേഷ്ഠാഭരണങ്ങൾ ധരിച്ച, രാക്ഷസേന്ദ്രന്റെ ഭുജത്തിലും അങ്കത്തിലും ആശ്രയിച്ച് വിശ്രമിച്ചിരുന്ന സ്ത്രീകളെ ഹനുമാൻ കണ്ടു.

Word by Word

• नृत्त-वादित्र-कुशलाः: skilled in dance and musical instruments
• नृत्त-वादित्र-कुशलाः: कर्म (कर्म / Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नृत्त (प्रातिपदिक) + वादित्र (प्रातिपदिक) + कुशल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः: द्वन्द्व-पूर्वपद-तत्पुरुष-प्रायः ‘नृत्ते वादित्रे च कुशलाः’ (skilled in dance and instruments); स्त्रीलिङ्गे प्रथमा-विभक्तिः बहुवचनम् (Nominative plural, feminine)

• राक्षस-इन्द्र-भुज-अङ्क-गाः: resting on the demon-king's arms and lap
• राक्षस-इन्द्र-भुज-अङ्क-गाः: कर्म (कर्म / Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: राक्षस (प्रातिपदिक) + इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक) + भुज (प्रातिपदिक) + अङ्क (प्रातिपदिक) + ग (कृदन्त; √गम् धातु, क्विप्/अण्-प्रायः)
• Form: समासः: राक्षसेन्द्र = षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः ‘राक्षसानाम् इन्द्रः’; भुजाङ्क = द्वन्द्व/कर्मधारय-प्रायः ‘भुजः च अङ्कः’; राक्षसेन्द्रभुजाङ्कग = तत्पुरुषः ‘राक्षसेन्द्रस्य भुजाङ्के गाः’ (gone to/lying on the arms and lap); स्त्रीलिङ्गे प्रथमा-विभक्तिः बहुवचनम् (Nominative plural, feminine)

• वर-आभरण-धारिण्यः: wearing fine ornaments
• वर-आभरण-धारिण्यः: कर्म (कर्म / Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक) + आभरण (प्रातिपदिक) + धारिणी (प्रातिपदिक; √धृ धातु से णिनि)
• Form: समासः: तत्पुरुषः ‘वराणि आभरणानि धारयन्त्यः’ (wearing excellent ornaments); स्त्रीलिङ्गे प्रथमा-विभक्तिः बहुवचनम् (Nominative plural, feminine)

• निषण्णाः: seated, leaning
• निषण्णाः: कर्म (कर्म / Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नि + √सद् (धातु) → निषण्ण (कृदन्त-क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे प्रथमा-विभक्तिः बहुवचनम् (Nominative plural, feminine); क्त-प्रत्ययान्तः भूतकृदन्तः

• ददृशे: was seen / saw
• ददृशे: क्रिया (क्रिया / Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √दृश् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकारः (Perfect), आत्मनेपदम्; प्रथमपुरुषः एकवचनम् (3rd person singular)

• हरिः: Hanuman (the monkey)
• हरिः: कर्ता (कर्ता / Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा-विभक्तिः एकवचनम् (Nominative singular, masculine)

Context

Hanuman saw the women there wearing fine jewellery, performing dances, playing musical instruments, and resting on the lap or leaning on the arms of the demon king.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Rāvaṇa
• Rāvaṇa’s wives

FAQs

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

The verse underscores the Ramayana’s ethical discernment: pleasure and skill are not condemned, but when centered around an adharma-driven ruler, they become part of a life that ignores satya and restraint.

What is the narrative situation?

In the royal bedchamber, Hanumān witnesses the demon-king’s consorts resting near him, indicating the atmosphere of indulgence in the palace.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Hanumān’s detachment—he remains unmoved by sensual spectacle and continues his duty-bound search.