Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 48, Shloka 55
इन्द्रजित्प्रेषणम्—ब्रह्मास्त्रबन्धः, हनूमद्ग्रहणं, रावणसभाप्रवेशः
Indrajit’s Deployment—Brahmāstra Binding, Hanuman’s Capture, Entry into Ravana’s Court
कोऽयं कस्य कुतोवात्र किं कार्यं को व्यपाश्रयः।इति राक्षसवीराणां तत्र सञ्जज्ञिरे कथाः।।।।
ko ’yaṃ kasya kuto vātra kiṃ kāryaṃ ko vyapāśrayaḥ |
iti rākṣasa-vīrāṇāṃ tatra sañjajñire kathāḥ ||
“Siapakah dia? Milik siapa? Dari mana dia datang ke sini? Apa tujuannya, dan kepada siapa dia bersandar?”—demikianlah perbualan yang timbul di sana dalam kalangan pahlawan raksasa.
"Who is he? Whose son is he? Why has he come here? Where has he come from? What business does he have here?" Thus the heroic demons talked among themselves.
FAQs
The verse frames the approach to truth (satya) through inquiry: before judgment or punishment, one must know identity, intent, and allegiance—an implicit ethical demand for due understanding.
In Rāvaṇa’s assembly, rākṣasa leaders react to Hanumān’s arrival by questioning his origin, purpose, and support.
Discernment through questioning (vicāra): even adversaries feel compelled to investigate the messenger’s identity and mission.