Shloka 18
रावण-प्रहस्त-हनूमद्वार्ता
Ravana and Prahasta Question Hanuman
राजानं द्रष्टुकामेन मयास्त्रमनुवर्तितम्।।5.50.17।।विमुक्तो ह्यहमस्त्रेण राक्षसैस्त्वभिपीडितः।केनचिद्राजकार्येण सम्प्राप्तोऽस्मि तवान्तिकम्।।5.50.18।।
rājānaṃ draṣṭukāmena mayā astram anuvartitam || 5.50.17 ||
vimukto hy aham astreṇa rākṣasais tv abhipīḍitaḥ |
kenacid rājakāryeṇa samprāpto ’smi tavāntikam || 5.50.18 ||
அரசனைத் தரிசிக்க விரும்பி நான் அஸ்திரத்தின் கட்டுப்பாட்டை ஏற்றேன். ராக்ஷசர்கள் துன்புறுத்தினாலும், அந்த அஸ்திரமே என்னை விடுவித்தது. அரசக் கடமையொன்றின் பொருட்டு நான் உமது முன்னிலையில் வந்தேன்.
'Is he Lord Nandi who came here in person? I was earlier cursed by him when I shook the mount Kailasa in the past. Could he have assumed a monkey-form or may be he is the great demon Bana. (Nandi is the bull, the vehicle of Lord Siva).
FAQs
Dharma of a dūta (messenger): even in hostility, one seeks lawful audience and speaks for a rightful cause rather than acting only by force.
This is the same statement as 5.50.17 with split numbering; Hanumān explains voluntary submission to capture to reach Rāvaṇa.
Mission-focused discipline—he prioritizes message over immediate victory.