Shloka 40

रावणान्तःपुरे शयनदर्शनम्

Hanumān Observes Rāvaṇa’s Inner Apartments and Sleeping Court

Devanagari script

काचिद्वंशं परिष्वज्य सुप्ता कमललोचना।रहः प्रियतमं गृह्य सकामेव च कामिनी।।।।

Transliteration

kācid vaṃśaṃ pariṣvajya suptā kamalalocanā |

rahaḥ priyatamaṃ gṛhya sakāmeva ca kāminī ||

Translation

ഒരു കമലനയനിയായ സ്ത്രീ വംശി (മുരളി)യെ ആലിംഗനം ചെയ്ത് ഉറങ്ങുകയായിരുന്നു—രഹസ്യത്തിൽ പ്രിയതമനെ ചേർത്തുപിടിക്കുന്ന കാമിനിയെപ്പോലെ, ഇനിയും കാമഭാവം ശേഷിച്ചവളായി.

Word by Word

• kācit: a certain (woman)
• kācit: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kacid (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• vaṃśam: a bamboo-flute/lute (instrument)
• vaṃśam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaṃśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• pariṣvajya: having embraced
• pariṣvajya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari-√svaj (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्)

• suptā: slept/asleep
• suptā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √svap + kta (धातु-कृदन्त)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• kamalalocanā: lotus-eyed
• kamalalocanā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kamala-locana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; karmadhāraya: 'kamala' (lotus) + 'locanā' (eyed)

• rahaḥ: in private
• rahaḥ: Deśa-adhikaraṇa (देशाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: rahas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya used adverbially (रहः = in private/secretly)

• priyatamam: her beloved
• priyatamam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: priyatama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• gṛhya: having held
• gṛhya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √grah (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्), 'having taken/held'

• sakāmā: a desirous woman
• sakāmā: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa-kāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; karmadhāraya: 'with desire/in love'

• iva: like
• iva: Upamā-dyotaka (उपमाद्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Upamā-avyaya

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Samuccaya-nipāta (समुच्चय-निपात)

• kāminī: a lover/young woman
• kāminī: Upameya (उपमेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāminī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

Context

Yet another lotus-eyed lady slept embracing a lute as if a lovelorn woman lay clasping her lover.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān (implied observer)
• vaṃśa (bamboo flute)

FAQs

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

Dharma is reflected in the disciplined observer: even when confronted with erotic imagery, Hanumān remains truthful to his vow and mission, guarding mind and senses.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān continues scanning the palace interiors and sees a sleeping woman hugging a flute, described through a romantic simile.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Self-restraint (indriya-nigraha) and unwavering commitment to duty (dharma-niṣṭhā).