Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 49, Shloka 9

रावणदर्शनम्

Hanuman Beholds Ravana in Court

Devanagari script

महतिस्फाटिके चित्रे रत्नसंयोगसंस्कृते।उत्तमास्तरणास्तीर्णे सूपविष्टं वरासने।।5.49.9।।

Transliteration

mahatisphāṭike citre ratnasaṃyogasaṃskṛte |

uttamāstaraṇāstīrṇe sūpaviṣṭaṃ varāsane ||5.49.9||

Translation

Người ấy ngồi vững trên bảo tọa tối thắng: rộng lớn như pha lê, khảm hợp châu báu, và trải phủ những tấm thảm thượng hạng.

Word by Word

• महति: on/in the great (one)
• महति: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; qualifying आसने

• स्फाटिके: crystal(-like)
• स्फाटिके: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्फाटिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; 'crystalline' qualifying आसने

• चित्रे: wonderful/ornate
• चित्रे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; qualifying आसने

• रत्नसंयोगसंस्कृते: embellished with gem-settings
• रत्नसंयोगसंस्कृते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रत्न+संयोग+संस्कृत (कृदन्त; √कृ (धातु) + क्त; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; 'adorned by the setting/combination of gems' qualifying आसने

• उत्तमास्तरणास्तीर्णे: covered with excellent spreads/carpets
• उत्तमास्तरणास्तीर्णे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तम+आस्तरण+आस्तीर्‍ण (कृदन्त; √स्तॄ (धातु) + क्त; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; 'spread/covered with excellent coverings' qualifying आसने

• सूपविष्टम्: well seated
• सूपविष्टम्: Karma (कर्म) in 'saw (him)' context
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु+उपविष्ट (कृदन्त; √विश् (धातु) + क्त; उप-उपसर्ग)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; 'well seated' qualifying (राक्षसपतिम्/रावणम् implied)

• वरासने: on an excellent throne
• वरासने: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर+आसन (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; 'excellent throne/seat'

Context

He appeared terrible with bloodred eyes, shining sharp big teeth, drooping lips and ten heads, which looked like ten peaks of mountain Mandara inhabited by various beasts. He was heroic, powerful and splendid.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Laṅkā

FAQs

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

High position and luxury do not legitimize wrongdoing; Dharma holds rulers accountable regardless of splendor or throne.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān observes Rāvaṇa seated in royal ease, emphasizing the contrast between kingly grandeur and moral corruption.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Strategic patience—Hanumān watches and assesses rather than revealing himself prematurely.