Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 3, Shloka 20

लङ्कादुर्गवर्णनम्

Description of Lanka’s Fortifications and Forces

Devanagari script

लङ्कापुनर्निरालम्बादेवदुर्गाभयावहा ।नादेयंपार्वतंवान्यंकृत्रिमंचचतुर्विधम् ।।।।

Transliteration

laṅkā punar nirālambā devadurgā bhayāvahā | nādeyam pārvatam vānyaṃ kṛtrimaṃ ca caturvidham ||

Translation

And Laṅkā again is a fearsome stronghold, perched aloft and hard to approach—even for the gods—protected by a fourfold system of forts: river-fort, mountain-fort, forest-fort, and artificial fortifications.

Word by Word

• लङ्का: Lanka
• लङ्का: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: laṅkā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (Nom./1st), एकवचन (sg.)

• पुनः: again / moreover
• पुनः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: punar/punaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, पुनरावृत्ति/पुनः-भाव (adverb: again)

• निरालम्बा: without support / perched (aloft)
• निरालम्बा: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of लङ्का
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nir-ālamba (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (Nom./1st), एकवचन (sg.); उपसर्ग-पूर्वक (nir-)

• देवदुर्गा: inaccessible even to the gods
• देवदुर्गा: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of लङ्का
• Type: Adjective
• Root: deva + durgā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (Nom./1st), एकवचन (sg.); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (genitive tatpuruṣa): देवानाम् दुर्गा (hard even for the gods to access)

• भयावहा: fear-bringing
• भयावहा: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of लङ्का
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhaya + āvahā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (Nom./1st), एकवचन (sg.); उपपद-तत्पुरुष: भयम् आवहति इति (bringing fear)

• नादेयम्: river(-based)
• नादेयम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) (elliptic: दुर्गम् understood)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nādeya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन (sg.); 'नदी-सम्बन्धि' (riverine)

• पार्वतम्: mountain(-based)
• पार्वतम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) (elliptic: दुर्गम् understood)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pārvata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन (sg.); 'पर्वत-सम्बन्धि' (mountainous)

• वान्यम्: forest(-based)
• वान्यम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) (elliptic: दुर्गम् understood)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vanya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन (sg.); 'वन-सम्बन्धि' (forest)

• कृत्रिमम्: artificial
• कृत्रिमम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) (elliptic: दुर्गम् understood)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛtrima (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन (sg.)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चय-बोधक (conjunction)

• चतुर्विधम्: of four kinds
• चतुर्विधम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) (elliptic: दुर्गम् understood)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: catur + vidha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन (sg.); द्विगु/तत्पुरुष-स्वभाव: चत्वारः विधाः यस्य (of four kinds)

Context

"Lanka is difficult to access even for devatas located on high peaks of the mountain. It is fierce to onlookers, surrounded by four kinds of forts, like rivers, mountains, forests and artificial fortresses."

Characters & Entities

• Laṅkā
• deva (gods)

FAQs

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

The verse teaches realism and humility before challenges: dharmic action requires accurate appraisal of obstacles, not denial of them.

What is the narrative situation?

Laṅkā’s near-impregnability is explained, emphasizing layered defenses and strategic geography.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Clear-eyed discernment (viveka) in planning—knowing the terrain and defensive systems.