Shloka 5.54.39

लङ्कादाहः — The Burning of Lanka (Catuḥpañcāśaḥ Sargaḥ)

Devanagari script

ततस्तु लङ्का सहसा प्रदग्धा सराक्षसा साश्वरथा सनागा।सपक्षिसङ्घा समृगा सवृक्षा रुरोद दीना तुमुलं सशब्दम्।।।।

Transliteration

tatas tu laṅkā sahasā pradagdhā sa-rākṣasā sāśva-rathā sa-nāgā |

sa-pakṣi-saṅghā sa-mṛgā sa-vṛkṣā ruroda dīnā tumulaṁ sa-śabdam ||

Translation

Then Laṅkā, suddenly set ablaze—along with its rākṣasas, its horses and chariots, its elephants, its flocks of birds, its beasts, and its trees—seemed to wail in misery with a tumultuous roar.

Context

Lanka with its chariots horses, elephants, flocks of birds, animals and trees burnt all of a sudden, the ogres cried loudly and piteously.

Characters & Entities

• Laṅkā
• rākṣasas
• nāga (elephants)

FAQs

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

The verse conveys that adharma harms not only perpetrators but entire ecosystems and communities; dharma includes responsibility toward all beings affected by one’s collective actions.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration personifies Laṅkā’s devastation, listing living creatures and war assets consumed by the sudden fire.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Hanumān’s strategic deterrence is implied: the destruction is meant to break enemy morale and pressure the adharma-based regime.