Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 42, Shloka 7

लङ्काप्राकारारोहणम् / Assault on Lanka’s Ramparts and the Opening Clash

Devanagari script

दृष्ट्वादाशरथिर्लङ्कांचित्रध्वजपताकिनीम् ।जगामसहसासीतांदूयमानेनचेतसा ।।।।

Transliteration

dṛṣṭvā dāśarathir laṅkāṃ citra-dhvaja-patākinīm |

jagāma sahasā sītāṃ dūyamānena cetasā ||

Translation

When the son of Daśaratha saw Laṅkā adorned with varied banners and flags, his mind at once went to Sītā, and his heart burned with anxious sorrow.

Word by Word

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen
• dṛṣṭvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √dṛś (धातु)
• Form: Gerund/absolutive (क्त्वा), avyaya

• dāśarathiḥ: the son of Dasharatha (Rama)
• dāśarathiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dāśarathi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• laṅkām: Lanka
• laṅkām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: laṅkā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• citra-dhvaja-patākinīm: adorned with colorful flags and banners
• citra-dhvaja-patākinīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: citra + dhvaja + patākinī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; adjective to laṅkām; tatpuruṣa: citrāḥ dhvajāḥ patākāś ca yasyām sā

• jagāma: went
• jagāma: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √gam (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Singular, Parasmaipada

• sahasā: suddenly/quickly
• sahasā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sahasā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb (manner: suddenly/quickly)

• sītām: Sita
• sītām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sītā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• dūyamānena: with a pained
• dūyamānena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √dūy (धातु) > dūyamāna (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Present passive participle (शानच्/śānac), Neuter/Masculine, Instrumental (3rd), Singular; agrees with cetasā

• cetasā: mind/heart
• cetasā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: cetas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd), Singular

Context

Ravana, thinking over for long, picking up courage, saw Rama's Vanaras with thoughtful eyes.

Characters & Entities

• Dāśarathi (Rāma)
• Laṅkā
• Sītā

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as faithful responsibility: even amid war and spectacle, Rāma’s foremost concern is Sītā’s welfare and the duty to restore what was unjustly violated.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma beholds the grandeur and readiness of Laṅkā, but immediately his thoughts turn to Sītā’s condition.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Compassionate fidelity—Rāma’s unwavering care and moral commitment to Sītā.