Shloka 6.37.12

लङ्काद्वारव्यूहवर्णनम् / Disposition at the Gates of Lanka

Devanagari script

राक्षसानांसहस्रैस्तुबहुभिश्शस्त्रपाणिभिः ।।।।युक्तःपरमसंविग्नोराक्षर्भहुभिर्वृतः ।उत्तरंनगरद्वारंरावणस्स्वयमास्थितः ।।।।

Transliteration

rākṣasānāṃ sahasrais tu bahubhiḥ śastrapāṇibhiḥ | yuktaḥ paramasaṃvigno rākṣasair bahubhir vṛtaḥ |

uttaraṃ nagaradvāraṃ rāvaṇaḥ svayam āsthitaḥ ||

Translation

At the city’s northern gate, Rāvaṇa himself stood—greatly agitated—surrounded by many Rākṣasas in their thousands, all bearing weapons.

Context

"Ravana himself stands at the north gate of Lanka, highly agitated surrounded by many thousands of Rakshasas wielding weapons."

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Rākṣasas
• Laṅkā
• Northern gate

FAQs

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

A ruler’s inner state matters: agitation born of wrongdoing destabilizes judgment; Dharma emphasizes self-mastery and just conduct as the basis of steady leadership.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa personally takes position at Laṅkā’s northern gate with a massive armed guard.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Personal assumption of command (courage/defiance), contrasted with inner unrest.