Shloka 5.54.29
लङ्कादाहः — The Burning of Lanka (Catuḥpañcāśaḥ Sargaḥ)
क्वचित्किंशुकसङ्काशाः क्वचिच्छाल्मलिसन्निभाः।।।।क्वचित्कुङ्कुमसङ्काशाश्शिखा वह्नेश्चकाशिरे।
kvacit kiṃśuka-saṅkāśāḥ kvacit śālmali-sannibhāḥ | kvacit kuṅkuma-saṅkāśāḥ śikhā vahnēḥ cakāśire ||
In some places the flames shone like kiṃśuka blossoms, in others like śālmali, and elsewhere like saffron, flaring in many hues across the city.
The flames of fire were shining like kimsuka flowers here, like salmali wood there, and like saffron flowers elsewhere.
The beauty of the imagery contrasts with the tragedy of destruction, reminding that aesthetic splendor cannot sanctify adharma. Dharma evaluates actions by righteousness and harm, not by outward brilliance.
The poet describes the spreading blaze in Laṅkā, noting the varied colors of flames as they consume different structures and materials.
Not a direct virtue statement; the verse supports the epic’s moral atmosphere by portraying the magnitude of consequence unleashed upon an adharma-ruled city.