Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 3, Shloka 26

लङ्कादुर्गवर्णनम्

Description of Lanka’s Fortifications and Forces

Devanagari script

प्रयुतंरक्षसामत्रपश्चिमद्वारमाश्रितम् ।चर्मखङ्गधरास्सर्वेतथासर्वास्त्रकोविदाः ।।।।

Transliteration

prayutaṃ rakṣasām atra paścimadvāram āśritam | carmakhaṅgadharāḥ sarve tathā sarvāstrakovidāḥ ||

Translation

Am westlichen Tor ist ein Prayuta von Rākṣasas aufgestellt—alle mit Schild und Schwert, und alle kundig im Gebrauch vieler Waffen.

Word by Word

• प्रयुतम्: one million
• प्रयुतम्: Saṅkhyā-viśeṣaṇa (संख्या-विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prayuta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; संख्यावाचक (numeral: ten lakhs)

• रक्षसाम्: of the rakshasas
• रक्षसाम्: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rakṣas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), षष्ठी (Gen./6th), बहुवचन (pl.)

• अत्र: here/there
• अत्र: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atra (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, देशवाचक

• पश्चिमद्वारम्: the western gate
• पश्चिमद्वारम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: paścima + dvāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), द्वितीया (Acc./2nd), एकवचन (sg.)

• आश्रितम्: occupied / held
• आश्रितम्: Kriyā (क्रिया) (participial predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√śri (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: कृदन्त (past passive participle), क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), द्वितीया/प्रथमा, एकवचन (sg.)

• चर्मखङ्गधराः: bearing shield and sword
• चर्मखङ्गधराः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: carma + khaṅga + dhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा (Nom./1st), बहुवचन (pl.); तत्पुरुष: चर्म च खङ्गं च धरन्ति (bearing shield and sword)

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, प्रकारवाचक (adverb: likewise/also)

• सर्वास्त्रकोविदाः: skilled in all weapons
• सर्वास्त्रकोविदाः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva + astra + kovida (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: सर्वेषु अस्त्रेषु कोविदाः (skilled in all weapons)

Context

At the northern gate(of Lanka) are garrisoned one hundred crores of rakshasas constituting, charioteers, horse riding and elephant riding ogres born of noble families, respected and trustworthy (for Ravana).

Characters & Entities

• Laṅkā
• Rākṣasas

FAQs

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

Dharma-guided action requires knowing the opponent’s capabilities; this discourages needless cruelty and supports proportionate, goal-oriented conduct.

What is the narrative situation?

The scout reports the western gate’s defenders and their weapon expertise.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Clarity and completeness in counsel—reporting not only numbers but also equipment and skill.