Shloka 10

रावणदर्शनम्

Hanuman Beholds Ravana in Court

Devanagari script

अलङ्कृताभिरत्यर्थं प्रमदाभिः समन्ततः।वालव्यजनहस्ताभिरारात्समुपसेवितम्।।5.49.10।।

Transliteration

alaṅkṛtābhir atyarthaṃ pramadābhiḥ samantataḥ | vālavyajanahastābhir ārāt samupasevitam ||5.49.10||

Translation

അവനെ ചുറ്റും അത്യന്തം അലങ്കരിക്കപ്പെട്ട യുവതികൾ സമീപത്തു നിന്നു, കൈകളിൽ വാലവ്യജനങ്ങൾ പിടിച്ച്, എല്ലായ്പ്പോഴും സേവിച്ചു കൊണ്ടിരുന്നു.

Word by Word

अलङ्कृताभिःby/with adorned (women)

अत्यर्थम्exceedingly

प्रमदाभिःby/with women

समन्ततःon all sides

वालव्यजनहस्ताभिःwith yak-tail fans in their hands

आरात्nearby

समुपसेवितम्attended upon

Context

Young and beautiful girls decorated exceedingly well holding whisks all over the vicinity attended on him.

Characters & Entities

Rāvaṇa (implied as the one attended)

Cāmara (yak-tail fan/whisk)

FAQs

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

The verse contrasts external splendor with inner righteousness: dharma evaluates a ruler not by luxury but by moral governance and restraint.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanuman observes the courtly grandeur surrounding the demon-king, including attendants and royal service.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Hanuman’s discernment: he notes magnificence without being seduced by it, keeping focus on the moral conflict.