Valmiki Ramayana · Sundara Kanda · Sarga 3
रात्रौ स विपुलां लङ्कां हनूमान् समुदैक्षत ।
रक्षितां राक्षसैर्घोरैर्युक्तां बहुभिरायुधैः ॥
In the night, Hanuman surveyed the vast Lanka, guarded by fearsome rakshasas armed with many weapons.
— Gita Press
रात्रि में हनुमान ने विशाल लङ्का को देखा, जो भयंकर राक्षसों द्वारा सुरक्षित थी और अनेक शस्त्रों से सुसज्जित थी।
Hanuman explores Lanka by night, searching for Sita. The verse describes the city after dark — the palaces lit with lamps, the streets quiet, the rakshasas asleep. This nocturnal search creates an atmosphere of suspense and devotion.
रात्रि — nightनिशाचर — night-stalker, a demon (rakshasa)