Shloka 3.54.12

सीताहरणोत्तरं लङ्काप्रवेशः — Sita’s Abduction and Ravana’s Entry into Lanka

Devanagari script

सोऽभिगम्य पुरीं लङ्कां सुविभक्तमहापथाम्।।।।संरूढकक्ष्याबहुलं स्वमन्तःपुरमाविशत्।

Transliteration

so 'bhigamya purīṃ laṅkāṃ suvibhakta-mahāpathām |

saṃrūḍha-kakṣyā-bahulaṃ svam antaḥpuram āviśat ||

Translation

Having reached the city of Laṅkā with its broad, well-laid roads, he passed through the many strongly secured enclosures and entered his own inner palace apartments.

Context

Ravana went through the well laid-out roads of the city of Lanka and through the well many guarded halls of the palace and entered the inner apartment.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Laṅkā
• Antaḥpura (inner apartments)

FAQs

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

External order and fortification cannot substitute for dharma: a well-guarded city cannot protect one from the consequences of unrighteous action.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration shifts to Laṅkā’s layout and Rāvaṇa’s movement into the private quarters after returning with Sītā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The verse indirectly contrasts worldly capability (organization, control) with moral restraint—highlighting the absence of self-governance in Rāvaṇa.