Shloka 5.54.40

लङ्कादाहः — The Burning of Lanka (Catuḥpañcāśaḥ Sargaḥ)

Devanagari script

हा तात हा पुत्रक कान्त मित्र हा जीवितं भोगयुतं सुपुण्यम्।रक्षोभिरेवं बहुधा ब्रुवद्भि श्शब्दः कृतो घोरतरस्सुभीमः।।।।

Transliteration

hā tāta hā putraka kānta mitra hā jīvitaṁ bhogayutaṁ supuṇyam |

rakṣobhir evaṁ bahudhā bruvadbhiḥ śabdaḥ kṛto ghorataraḥ subhīmaḥ ||

Translation

“Alas, father! Alas, son! Beloved! Friend! Alas—this life, once full of enjoyment and merit, is destroyed!” Thus, as the rākṣasas cried out in many ways, a dreadfully terrifying uproar arose.

Context

"O father dear! O son! O my dear! O friend! alas, the life which is enjoyable, sacred and prosperous is destroyed in this way". Saying this, the demons cried out dreadfully and loudly.

Characters & Entities

• rākṣasas

FAQs

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

The lament illustrates an ethical warning: lives built around wrongful power and pleasure are fragile; when dharma is violated, what seemed ‘secure and meritorious’ collapses suddenly.

What is the narrative situation?

As the city burns, the rākṣasas cry out for family and friends, and the collective panic becomes a terrifying din.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast, Hanumān’s steadfastness is highlighted: while the adharma-side dissolves into chaos, the dharma-agent remains purposeful.