Shloka 25
अशोकवनिकाविचारः
Survey of the Aśoka Grove and its Enchanted Landscape
वापीश्च विविधाकाराः पूर्णाः परमवारिणा।महार्हैर्मणिसोपानैरुपपन्नास्ततस्ततः।।5.14.22।।मुक्ताप्रवालसिकताः स्फाटिकान्तरकुट्टिमाः।काञ्चनैस्तरुभिश्चित्रैस्तीरजैरुपशोभितैः।।5.14.23।।फुल्लपद्मोत्पलवनाश्चक्रवाकोपकूजिताः।नत्यूहरुतसंघुष्टा हंससारसनादिताः।।5.14.24।।दीर्घाभिर्द्रुमयुक्ताभिः सरद्भिश्च समन्ततः।अमृतोपमतोयाभिश्शिवाभिरुपसंस्कृताः।।5.14.25।।लताशतैरवततास्सन्तानकुसुमावृताः।नानागुल्मावृतघनाः करवीरकृतान्तराः।।5.14.26।।
dīrghābhir drumayuktābhiḥ saradbhiś ca samantataḥ |
amṛtopama-toyābhiḥ śivābhir upasaṃskṛtāḥ ||5.14.25||
ചുറ്റുമെല്ലാം ദീർഘമായ ചാലുകളും ചെറുനദീപ്രവാഹങ്ങളും ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നു, വൃക്ഷനിരകളാൽ യുക്തം; അവയുടെ ജലം അമൃതസമം, മംഗളകരം, ഉപവനത്തിന്റെ രൂപകല്പനയിൽ മനോഹരമായി അലങ്കരിക്കപ്പെട്ടിരുന്നു.
He observed ponds of different shapes filled with clear water with steps paved with rich gems, with sands of pearls and corals and bottoms of crystal, which contained beds of lotuses in bloom, adorned with chakravaka birds and resonant with cacklings of swans and sarasas and vatyuhas rubbing their beaks. There were golden platforms built on banks and platforms built of crystals. There were trees on the bank of streams, and nectarlike sacred waters flowing in them surrounded by hundreds of creepers, and Ashoka blossoms scattered everywhere, with thickly grown bushes of different kinds, with lilies in bloom in tanks.
FAQs
The verse supports the Ramayana’s wider teaching that auspiciousness (śiva) and refinement can exist as external order, but Dharma is validated by right intention and right conduct. The listener is invited to distinguish cultivated beauty from moral worth.
Hanuman’s survey expands from ponds to the surrounding watercourses—tree-lined streamlets with carefully maintained, pleasant waters.
Persevering vigilance: Hanuman methodically scans the terrain, building a mental map of Lanka while remaining committed to truthfully reporting and serving Rama’s purpose.