Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 9, Shloka 18

पुष्पकविमानवर्णनम्

Description of the Pushpaka Vimana and Ravana’s Inner Palace

Devanagari script

चन्दनेन च रक्तेन तपनीयनिभेन च।सुपुण्यगन्धिना युक्तमादित्यतरुणोपमम्।।5.9.18।।

Transliteration

candanena ca raktena tapanīyanibhena ca |

supuṇyagandhinā yuktam ādityataruṇopamam ||5.9.18||

Translation

其上涂以赤檀，光泽如精炼之金；芬芳殊胜，辉耀如初升的年轻太阳。

Word by Word

• चन्दनेन: with sandalwood
• चन्दनेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चन्दन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/करण), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• रक्तेन: with red (colouring)
• रक्तेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/करण), एकवचन; द्रव्यवाचक (red dye/colouring)

• तपनीयनिभेन: with (a hue) like refined gold
• तपनीयनिभेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तपनीय + निभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग (agreeing with implied substance), तृतीया, एकवचन; समासः: तपनीयस्य निभः (like refined gold)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• सुपुण्यगन्धिना: with very sweet fragrance
• सुपुण्यगन्धिना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु + पुण्य + गन्धिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (agreeing with implied object), तृतीया (Instrumental/करण), एकवचन; समासः: सुपुण्यः गन्धः यस्य (fragrant with very pleasant scent)

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

• आदित्यतरुणोपमम्: like the rising sun
• आदित्यतरुणोपमम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आदित्य + तरुण + उपम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विमानस्य विशेषण; समासः: आदित्यस्य तरुणस्य उपमम् (like the young/rising sun)

Context

Hanuman ascended the wonderful Pushpaka, well-decked with many corridors.

Characters & Entities

• candana (sandalwood)
• Āditya (Sun)

FAQs

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

Fragrance and radiance symbolize allure; dharma requires seeing beyond allure to truth (satya). The epic uses such imagery to remind that righteousness is independent of sensual charm.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān notes the perfumed, golden-bright splendor of the royal setting as he proceeds deeper into Laṅkā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Purposefulness: Hanumān’s senses register details, yet his mind remains fixed on the dharmic task entrusted by Rāma.