Valmiki Ramayana
Author: Valmiki
Tradition: Sanskrit epic
The original Sanskrit Ramayana.
Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kanda, Sarga 2 — The city of Lanka
toraṇaiḥ kāñcanairdivyairlatāpaṅktivicitritaiḥ | dadarśa hanumān laṅkāṃ divi devapurīṃ yathā || 18 ||
तोरणैः काञ्चनैर्दिव्यैर्लतापङ्क्तिविचित्रितैः । ददर्श हनुमान् लङ्कां दिवि देवपुरीं यथा ॥ १८ ॥
Through divine golden archways adorned with rows of creepers, Hanuman beheld Lanka — like the city of the gods in heaven. (Sarga 2, shloka 18)
Sarga 2 of the Sundara Kanda: having crossed the ocean, Hanuman beholds the fortified golden city of Lanka and is struck by its heaven-like splendour. He observes its divine golden archways, gleaming walls, and vast fortifications — describing it as rivalling the city of the gods in heaven. Yet searching Ravana’s palace, he cannot find Sita and steels himself to keep searching.
This sarga highlights Hanuman’s qualities as an ideal envoy (dūta). He is not only courageous but also prudent, patient, and adaptable. These virtues prepare him for the difficult task ahead — searching every part of Lanka to find Sita without alerting Ravana or his forces.
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License / provenance: Root text public domain; full text & word-by-word at valmikiramayan.net.