Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 5, Shloka 8
चन्द्रप्रकाशे लङ्कानिरीक्षणम्
Moonlit Survey of Lanka and the Unfound Sita
प्रकाशचन्द्रोदयनष्टदोषः प्रवृत्तरक्षः पिशिताशदोषः।रामाभिरामेरितचित्तदोषः स्वर्गप्रकाशो भगवान् प्रदोषः।।5.5.8।।
prakāśa-candrodaya-naṣṭa-doṣaḥ pravṛtta-rakṣaḥ piśitāśa-doṣaḥ | rāmābhirāmerita-citta-doṣaḥ svarga-prakāśo bhagavān pradoṣaḥ || 5.5.8 ||
在薄暮之时，皎月升起，黑暗之过失被驱散；夜行的罗刹、食肉者各行其凶业；女子之心亦被爱意所撩动——而那辉煌的黄昏，遍洒如天界般的光明。
At the time of moon-rise, the darkness of dusk is dispelled, the dark deeds of cannibals disappear, the natural instinct for love returns to women as the radiance of the Moon spreads everywhere like in heaven.
FAQs
The verse contrasts light that removes darkness with beings who still choose harmful action. Dharma is not merely external brightness; it is the choice to act rightly even when night permits concealment—satya and self-restraint remain decisive.
As moonrise transforms dusk, the city’s nocturnal patterns begin: ordinary domestic life and desire awaken, and rākṣasas begin their night activity—an ominous backdrop for Hanumān’s search.
Vigilance and moral clarity: the setting warns that darkness can return through conduct, so a dharmic agent must remain alert and truthful in intention.