Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 9, Shloka 16

पुष्पकविमानवर्णनम्

Description of the Pushpaka Vimana and Ravana’s Inner Palace

Devanagari script

जालवातायनैर्युक्तं काञ्चनैः स्स्फाटिकैरपि।इन्द्रनीलमहानीलमणिप्रवरवेदिकम्।।5.9.16।।

Transliteration

jālavātāyanair yuktaṃ kāñcanaiḥ sphāṭikair api |

indranīlamahānīlamaṇipravaravedikam ||5.9.16||

Translation

其上装有金制格窗，并镶嵌水晶；那上等台座又嵌以蓝宝之珍——因陀罗尼罗与摩诃尼罗。

Word by Word

• जालवातायनैः: with latticed windows
• जालवातायनैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जाल + वातायन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग (usage varies; here plural instr.), तृतीया (Instrumental/करण), बहुवचन; समासः: जालयुक्तानि वातायनानि

• युक्तम्: endowed
• युक्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युक्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √युज् (धातु))
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (PPP), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विमानस्य विशेषण

• काञ्चनैः: with gold (elements)
• काञ्चनैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काञ्चन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/करण), बहुवचन

• स्फाटिकैः: with crystal (elements)
• स्फाटिकैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्फाटिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/करण), बहुवचन

• अपि: also
• अपि: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle), समुच्चय/अपि-भाव (also/even)

• इन्द्रनीलमहानीलमणिप्रवरवेदिकम्: having platforms of excellent gems: indran
  2bla and mah
  01n
  2bla
• इन्द्रनीलमहानीलमणिप्रवरवेदिकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इन्द्रनील + महानील + मणि + प्रवर + वेदिक
  01 (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विमानस्य विशेषण; द्वन्द्व-पूर्वपद: इन्द्रनील-महानील (two sapphire types) + तत्पुरुष-सम्बन्ध: मणि-प्रवर-वेदिका (platform excellent with gems)

Context

It was shining bright with colourful corals, precious gems and peerless pearls fixed on its floor.

Characters & Entities

• kāñcana (gold)
• sphāṭika (crystal)

FAQs

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

The verse supports a Ramayana-wide teaching: sensory beauty can be dazzling, yet dharma asks for inner clarity and truthful purpose (satya) beyond appearances.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān continues surveying Laṅkā’s royal constructions, noting precious materials and ornate architectural details.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Alertness (apramāda): careful observation without attachment helps Hanumān navigate danger while staying aligned with duty.