Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 10, Shloka 12
रावणान्तःपुरे शयनदर्शनम्
Hanumān Observes Rāvaṇa’s Inner Apartments and Sleeping Court
निःश्वसन्तं यथा नागं रावणं वानरर्षभः।आसाद्य परमोद्विग्नस्सोपासर्पत्सुभीतवत्।।।।
niḥśvasantaṃ yathā nāgaṃ rāvaṇaṃ vānararṣabhaḥ |
āsādya paramodvignaḥ sopāsarpat subhītavat ||
Đến gần Rāvaṇa, kẻ thở phì phò như mãng xà, vị hùng vượn—bậc tráng sĩ trong loài Vānara—bỗng rúng động tột cùng, rồi lùi lại, như thể bị nỗi kinh hãi bất thần đánh trúng.
Having reached Ravana, who was breathing (hissing) like a snake, Hanuman was for a moment frightened and drew away from him as if he was put to terrible fear.
FAQs
Dharma includes prudent restraint: even the brave acknowledge danger and regulate action. Hanumān’s momentary withdrawal is not cowardice but strategic self-governance.
At very close range to the sleeping Rāvaṇa, Hanumān senses the threat (his hissing breath) and instinctively steps back.
Prudence joined to courage—Hanumān manages fear and avoids rash engagement that could imperil the mission.