Shloka 9
लङ्कादाह-प्रचोदनं तथा वानर-राक्षस-समरारम्भः
The Burning of Lanka and the Outbreak of Battle
क्षौमं च दह्यतेतत्रकौशेयंचापिशोभनं ।।।।आविकंविविधंचौर्णंकाञ्चनंभाण्डमायुधम् ।
kṣaumaṃ ca dahyate tatra kauśeyaṃ cāpi śobhanam |
āvikaṃ vividhaṃ ca ūrṇaṃ kāñcanaṃ bhāṇḍam āyudham ||
Dort brannten Leinen und edle Seiden; ebenso mancherlei Wolle und Decken, goldene Schätze und Truhen, ja selbst die Waffen wurden vom Feuer verzehrt.
Their white linen and beautiful silks were burnt. Nay, even several blankets of wool, chests and weapons were also burnt.
FAQs
The verse teaches that possessions and military power are ultimately perishable; dharma and satya are the true safeguards, not wealth, arms, or luxury.
Continuing the depiction of destruction in Laṅkā, listing textiles, valuables, and armaments being burned amid the conflict.
A reflective moral lens rather than a personal virtue: it points the audience toward humility and non-attachment in the face of inevitable loss.