Shloka 20
द्विचत्वारिंशः सर्गः (Sarga 42): Omens in Laṅkā, Report to Rāvaṇa, and the Kinkara Assault
तस्योग्ररूपस्योग्र त्वं दण्डमाज्ञातुमर्हसि।सीता सम्भाषिता येन तद्वनं च विनाशितम्।।5.42.20।।
tasyogra-rūpasyogra tvaṃ daṇḍam ājñātum arhasi | sītā sambhāṣitā yena tad vanaṃ ca vināśitam ||5.42.20||
ഹേ ഭയങ്കരനേ! ആ ഭയങ്കരരൂപിയ്ക്ക് കഠിനശിക്ഷ വിധിക്കുവാൻ നീ ആജ്ഞാപിക്കേണ്ടതാണ്; കാരണം അവനാണ് സീതാദേവിയോട് സംസാരിക്കുകയും ഈ ഉപവനം നശിപ്പിക്കുകയും ചെയ്തത്.
"Your highness should take severe action on that person of fierce appearance with whom Sita dared to speak, and by whom the garden is ruined.
FAQs
It raises the question of rightful punishment: daṇḍa is ethical only when aligned with justice; here, the adhārmic ruler is urged toward punitive action to protect his power, not righteousness.
The rākṣasī-s incite Rāvaṇa to punish Hanumān for speaking with Sītā and destroying the grove.
By contrast, Hanumān’s courage is highlighted—he dares to speak with Sītā despite provoking the tyrant’s wrath.