Shloka 5.54.30

लङ्कादाहः — The Burning of Lanka (Catuḥpañcāśaḥ Sargaḥ)

Devanagari script

हनूमता वेगवता वानरेण महात्मना।लङ्कापुरं प्रदग्धं तद्रुद्रेण त्रिपुरं यथा।।।।

Transliteration

tatas tu laṅkāpura-parvatāgre samutthito bhīma-parākramaḥ agniḥ | prasārya cūḍāvalayaṃ pradīpto hanūmatā vegavatā visṛṣṭaḥ ||

Translation

Then, on the mountain-top of Laṅkā-city, the fire of dreadful force—released by swift Hanumān—blazed up, spreading in a ring like a circling crown of flame.

Context

Hanuman, endowed with great speed, burnt Lanka just as Tripurari, or Rudra burnt theTripuras (three cities of gold, silver and iron).

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Laṅkā
• agni (fire)
• Trikūṭa (implied mountain of Laṅkā in the broader passage)

FAQs

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

Dharma is portrayed as force directed by duty: energy becomes meaningful when guided by a just mission. Unchecked power destroys blindly; disciplined power restores balance.

What is the narrative situation?

The blaze intensifies and rises high over Laṅkā’s elevated terrain, spreading in a circular sweep as Hanumān’s fire takes hold across the city.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Kāryaniṣṭhā (steadfast dedication to the task): Hanumān’s swift and decisive action drives the mission forward without hesitation.