Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 12, Shloka 13

द्वादशः सर्गः — हनूमतः अन्तःपुरविचयः

Hanuman’s Search Through Ravana’s Inner Apartments

Devanagari script

आपानशाला विचितास्तथा पुष्पगृहाणि च।।5.12.12।।चित्रशालाश्च विचिता भूयः क्रीडागृहाणि च।निष्कुटान्तररथ्याश्च विमानानि च सर्वशः।।5.12.13।।

Transliteration

āpānaśālā vicitās tathā puṣpagṛhāṇi ca ||

citraśālāś ca vicitā bhūyaḥ krīḍāgṛhāṇi ca |

niṣkuṭāntararathyāś ca vimānāni ca sarvaśaḥ ||

Translation

Ta đã lục soát các tửu quán, cùng những lầu hoa; cũng đã tìm trong các hành lang trang vẽ, và lại trong các nhà vui chơi. Ta đã dò khắp nơi—những ngõ lối trong sân vườn kín, và cả các cung điện bay, xa giá trên không.

Word by Word

• iti: thus
• iti: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (quotative/thus)

• sañcintya: having thought
• sañcintya: Pūrvakāla (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-cint (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund): ‘having reflected’

• bhūyaḥ: again
• bhūyaḥ: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: bhūyaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb): ‘again’

• api: also
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle): ‘also/even’

• vicetum: to search
• vicetum: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-ci (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (infinitive): ‘to search’

• upacakrame: began
• upacakrame: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa-kram (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; ‘began/undertook’

• bhūmī-gṛhān: underground chambers
• bhūmī-gṛhān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūmī (प्रातिपदिक) + gṛha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष: ‘bhūmyāṃ gṛhāṇi’ (underground rooms); पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• caitya-gṛhān: temple-halls
• caitya-gṛhān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: caitya (प्रातिपदिक) + gṛha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष: ‘caityasya gṛhāṇi’ (temple-shrines); पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• gṛha-ati-gṛhakān: multi-roomed houses
• gṛha-ati-gṛhakān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gṛha (प्रातिपदिक) + ati (अव्यय/उपसर्ग) + gṛhaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष: ‘gṛhātirikta-gṛhakāḥ’ (houses beyond houses/many-chambered houses); पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• api: also
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle): ‘also’

Context

'I have searched the banquet halls, bowers of creepers, picture galleries and gymnasiums. I have searched everywhere through the paths of gardens and mansions, harems and the Pushpaka chariot also.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Laṅkā (palatial complexes)
• vimāna (aerial palace/chariot; includes the idea of Puṣpaka in this setting)

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as thoroughness and accountability in duty: Hanumān systematically verifies every plausible place rather than making assumptions.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān enumerates the many types of halls and chambers he has already examined in Laṅkā while searching for Sītā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Methodical diligence (vyavasāya) and responsible effort—leaving no reasonable location unchecked.