Shloka 22

रावणान्तःपुर-पानभूमि-विचयः

Hanumān’s Survey of Rāvaṇa’s Inner Palace and Banquet Hall

Devanagari script

सन्तता शुशुभे भूमिर्माल्यैश्च बहुसंस्थितैः।।5.11.21।।हिरण्मयैश्च विविधैर्भाजनैः स्फाटिकैरपि।जाम्बूनदमयैश्चान्यैः करकैरभिसंवृता।।5.11.22।।

Transliteration

santatā śuśubhe bhūmir mālyaiś ca bahusaṁsthitaiḥ ||5.11.21||

hiraṇmayaiś ca vividhair bhājanaiḥ sphāṭikair api | jāmbūnadamayaiś cānyaiḥ karakaiḥ abhisaṁvṛtā ||5.11.22||

Translation

ചുറ്റും വ്യാപിച്ചിരുന്ന നിലം പലവിധമായി ക്രമപ്പെടുത്തിയ മാല്യങ്ങളാൽ അത്യന്തം ശോഭിച്ചു; കൂടാതെ വിവിധ സ്വർണമയവും സ്ഫടികവുമായ പാത്രങ്ങളാലും, ജാംബൂനദ-സ്വർണത്തിൽ നിർമ്മിതമായ മറ്റ് കരക-കലശങ്ങളാലും മൂടപ്പെട്ടിരുന്നു.

Word by Word

yasyawhose

sattvasyaof a being/creature

yāwhich

yoniḥsource, womb, kind

tasyāmin that

tatthat

parimārgyateis searched for

nanot

śakyāpossible/able

pramadāwoman

naṣṭālost

mṛgīṣuamong female deer

parimārgitumto search for

Context

(The banquet hall) appeared beautiful with many kinds of garlands arranged in different locations. Also there were vessels made of pure gold, crystalware and jars spread all over.

Characters & Entities

Hanumān

pāna-bhūmi (banquet hall)

FAQs

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

The passage frames the moral lesson that prosperity (śrī) and ornamentation are ethically neutral; their value depends on alignment with dharma. In Laṅkā’s context, splendor coexists with wrongdoing, sharpening the epic’s moral contrast.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān observes the lavish decoration and precious vessels spread throughout the banquet area.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfastness: Hanumān is not dazzled by wealth; he continues his search with disciplined attention.