Shloka 5.2.17

लङ्कादर्शनं तथा रात्रौ सूक्ष्मरूपेण प्रवेशोपायचिन्तनम् (Vision of Lanka and Strategy for Nocturnal Entry)

Devanagari script

समासाद्य च लक्ष्मीवान् लङ्कां रावणपालिताम्।परिखाभिः सपद्माभिः सोत्पलाभिरलङ्कृताम्।।5.2.14।।सीतापहरणार्थेन रावणेन सुरक्षिताम्।समन्ताद्विचरद्भिश्च राक्षसैरुग्रधन्विभिः।।5.2.15।।काञ्चनेनावृतां रम्यां प्राकारेण महापुरीम्।गृहैश्च ग्रहसंकाशैः शारदाम्बुदसन्निभैः।।5.2.16।।पाण्डुराभिः प्रतोलीभिरुच्चाभिरभिसंवृताम्।अट्टालकशताकीर्णां पताकाध्वजमालिनीम्।।5.2.17।।तोरणैः काञ्चनैर्दिव्यैर्लतापङ्त्किविचित्रितैः।ददर्श हनुमान् लङ्कां दिवि देवपुरीं यथा।।5.2.18।।

Transliteration

pāṇḍurābhiḥ pratolībhir uccābhir abhisaṃvṛtām |

aṭṭālakaśatākīrṇāṃ patākādhvajamālinīm ||

Translation

It was ringed with lofty white gateways, crowded with hundreds of watchtowers, and adorned with garlands of banners and flags.

Context

Fortunate Hanuman having reached Lanka ruled by Ravana found it surrounded by moats full of blue lotuses, guarded by demons with frightening bows, in view of Sita abducted and kept there. It was protected by boundary walls inlaid with gold that great and beautiful city with buildings resembling the assembly of planets and whitewashed, elevated houses looking like autumnal clouds and well laid out streets decorated with garlands of banners and flag posts, rows of colourful creepers and festoons. The city of Lanka appeared like Amaravati, the city of gods.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Laṅkā
• pratolī (gateways)
• aṭṭālaka (watchtowers)
• patākā (banners)
• dhvaja (flags)

FAQs

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

Symbols of sovereignty (flags, towers) do not establish moral authority; dharma depends on justice and truth, not on spectacle.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān’s description of Laṅkā continues, focusing on its gates, towers, and royal decorations.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Fearless reconnaissance: he evaluates the enemy city’s defenses with steadiness.