Shloka 4

चन्द्रप्रकाशे लङ्कानिरीक्षणम्

Moonlit Survey of Lanka and the Unfound Sita

Devanagari script

हंसो यथा राजतपञ्जरस्थः सिंहो यथा मन्दरकन्दरस्थः।वीरो यथा गर्वितकुञ्जरस्थ चन्द्रोऽपि बभ्राज तथाम्बरस्थः।।5.5.4।।

Transliteration

haṃso yathā rājata-pañjarasthaḥ siṃho yathā mandara-kandarasthaḥ | vīro yathā garvita-kuñjarasthaḥ candro 'pi babhrāja tathā 'mbarasthaḥ || 5.5.4 ||

Translation

വെള്ളിപ്പിഞ്ചരത്തിൽ ഹംസം ശോഭിക്കുന്നതുപോലെ, മന്ദരപർവതഗുഹയിൽ സിംഹം ദീപ്തിയോടെ നിലകൊള്ളുന്നതുപോലെ, ഗർവിത കുഞ്ജരത്തിൽ ആരൂഢനായ വീരൻ പ്രകാശിക്കുന്നതുപോലെ—അങ്ങനെ ആകാശത്തിൽ സ്ഥിതനായ ചന്ദ്രനും തിളങ്ങി.

Word by Word

• haṃsaḥ: a swan
• haṃsaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: haṃsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• yathā: as/like
• yathā: Upamā-dyotaka (उपमा-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; comparative particle (उपमा/यथार्थक)

• rājata-pañjara-sthaḥ: situated in a silver cage
• rājata-pañjara-sthaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rājata (प्रातिपदिक) + pañjara (प्रातिपदिक) + sthā (कृदन्त)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa: rājata-pañjara ‘silver cage’ + -stha; Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• siṃhaḥ: a lion
• siṃhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: siṃha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• yathā: as/like
• yathā: Upamā-dyotaka (उपमा-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; comparative particle

• mandara-kandara-sthaḥ: situated in Mandara’s cave
• mandara-kandara-sthaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mandara (प्रातिपदिक) + kandara (प्रातिपदिक) + sthā (कृदन्त)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa: mandara-kandara ‘cave of Mandara’ + -stha; Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• vīraḥ: a hero
• vīraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• yathā: as/like
• yathā: Upamā-dyotaka (उपमा-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; comparative particle

• garvita-kuñjara-sthaḥ: mounted on a proud elephant
• garvita-kuñjara-sthaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: garvita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक) + kuñjara (प्रातिपदिक) + sthā (कृदन्त)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa: garvita-kuñjara ‘proud elephant’ + -stha; Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• candraḥ: the moon
• candraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: candra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• api: also
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; particle (अपि = ‘also/even’)

• babhrāja: shone brilliantly
• babhrāja: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhrāj (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ-lakāra (लिट्/Perfect), Parasmaipada, Prathama-puruṣa, Ekavacana

• tathā: in the same way
• tathā: Upamā-dyotaka (उपमा-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; adverb ‘thus/likewise’

• ambara-sthaḥ: situated in the sky
• ambara-sthaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ambara (प्रातिपदिक) + sthā (कृदन्त)
• Form: Upapada-tatpuruṣa with -stha; Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

Context

'Like a swan in a cage of silver, like a lion in a cave of Mandara mountain, like a hero on a proud, intoxicated elephant, the Moon shone in the sky.

Characters & Entities

• Mandara (mountain)
• candra (Moon)
• ambara (sky)

FAQs

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

The Moon’s ordered brilliance is presented through images of rightful placement—each being shines when situated in its proper sphere. This echoes dharma as ‘fitness’: excellence manifests when one stands in one’s appropriate role and setting.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration continues describing the moonlit night in Laṅkā as Hanumān proceeds with vigilance, using the serene sky as contrast to the city’s hidden dangers.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfastness and composure: the calm, luminous moon imagery supports Hanumān’s disciplined resolve amid an enemy city.