Shloka 5.54.20

लङ्कादाहः — The Burning of Lanka (Catuḥpañcāśaḥ Sargaḥ)

Devanagari script

ततस्तस्मिन्गृहे मुख्ये नानारत्नविभूषिते।मेरुमन्दरसङ्काशे सर्वमङ्गळशोभिते।।5.54.19।।प्रदीप्तमग्निमुत्सृज्य लाङ्गूलाग्रे प्रतिष्ठितम्।ननाद हनुमान्वीरो युगान्तजलदो यथा।।5.54.20।।

Transliteration

śvasanena ca saṃyogād ativego mahābalaḥ |

kālāgnir iva jajvāla prāvardhata hutāśanaḥ ||

Translation

Joined by the wind, the mighty fire surged with tremendous speed—blazing like the doom-fire at the end of time—and grew ever stronger.

Context

Then Hanuman, the hero with the burning tail set fire to the chief palace of Ravana that resembled mountains Meru and Mandara, decorated with different kinds of gems and exquisite with several auspicious articles. While the flames were rising up, he roared like the thundering cloud at the time of dissolution.

Characters & Entities

• Fire (Agni / Hutāśana)
• Wind (Pavana)
• Laṅkā

FAQs

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

Consequences amplify when conditions align: as wind intensifies fire, unchecked adharma can rapidly escalate suffering—hence dharma requires timely restraint and correction.

What is the narrative situation?

The conflagration in Laṅkā intensifies as wind feeds the spreading fire.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Not a personal virtue but a narrative emphasis on inevitability: once set in motion, forces (like fire) grow swiftly—mirroring the unstoppable momentum of karmic results.