Shloka 17
रावणान्तःपुर-पानभूमि-विचयः
Hanumān’s Survey of Rāvaṇa’s Inner Palace and Banquet Hall
तथाऽऽम्ललवणोत्तंसैर्विविधैरागषाडबैः।हारनूपुरकेयूरैरपविद्धैर्महाधनैः।।5.11.16।। पानभाजनविक्षिप्तैः फलैश्च विविधैरपि।कृतपुष्पोपहारा भूरधिकं पुष्यति श्रियम्।।5.11.17।।
pānabhājanavikṣiptaiḥ phalaiś ca vividhair api | kṛtapuṣpopahārā bhūr adhikaṁ puṣyati śriyam ||5.11.17||
പാനപാത്രങ്ങൾ ചിതറിക്കിടന്നും പലവിധ ഫലങ്ങൾ ചിതറിയും, പുഷ്പോപഹാരങ്ങൾ ക്രമപ്പെടുത്തി വെച്ചതുകൊണ്ടും, ഭൂമിയുതന്നെ അധികമായി ശ്രീപ്രഭയെ പ്രകടിപ്പിക്കുന്നതുപോലെ തോന്നി.
The banquet hall looked splendid with food seasoned with salt and sour ingredients. There was ragashadavas (syrup made with grapes, pomegranates, different juices like half ripe mangoes and seasoned with ginger cardomom, butter etc). Heavy chains, anklets and shouldersstraps were thrown aside. (The people relaxed while eating and drinking and discarded heavy ornaments). Many glasses were found scattered or drinks spilt on the floor after use.Many fruits and flowers were kept.
FAQs
The verse reinforces discernment: splendor can mask moral disorder. In dharmic reading, Hanumān learns to distinguish external beauty from inner righteousness.
Hanumān notes the aftermath of revelry—vessels and fruits strewn—yet the hall remains decorated with flowers, suggesting ongoing luxury.
Practical intelligence and focus: Hanumān gathers situational awareness while keeping his objective central.