Shloka 5.54.22

लङ्कादाहः — The Burning of Lanka (Catuḥpañcāśaḥ Sargaḥ)

Devanagari script

प्रदीप्तमग्निं पवनस्तेषु वेश्मस्वचारयत्।अभूच्छ्वसनसंयोगादतिवेगो हुताशनः।।।।

Transliteration

tāni kāñcanajālāni muktāmaṇimayāni ca |

bhavanāny avaśīryanta ratnavanti mahānti ca ||

Translation

Those great mansions—latticed with gold and inlaid with pearls and gems, vast and jewel-filled—collapsed and fell apart.

Context

Combined with the wind the fire began to spread, burning the houses with great speed.

Characters & Entities

• Laṅkā
• rākṣasa mansions
• gold (kāñcana)
• pearls (muktā)
• gems (maṇi/ratna)

FAQs

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

Anityatā (impermanence): material grandeur, even when dazzling, is fragile—especially when used in service of adharma.

What is the narrative situation?

The fire destroys Laṅkā’s richly ornamented palaces; buildings with gold latticework and gem inlays collapse.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Detachment is implicitly taught: the verse contrasts jewel-wealth with its sudden ruin, urging values beyond mere opulence.