Shloka 6.75.14

लङ्कादाह-प्रचोदनं तथा वानर-राक्षस-समरारम्भः (The Burning of Lanka and the Outbreak of Battle)

Devanagari script

नानाविधान्गृहच्छन्दान्धदाहहुतभुक्तदा ।आवासान्राक्षसानां च सर्वेषांगृहगर्थिनाम् ।।।।हेमचित्रतनुत्राणस्रग्दामाम्भरधारिणाम् ।शीधुपानचलाक्षाणांमद्विह्वलगामिनाम् ।।।।कान्तालम्बितवस्त्राणांशत्रुसञ्जातमन्युनाम् ।गदाशूलासिहस्तानांखादतांपिबतामपि ।।।।शयनेषुमहार्हेषुप्रसुप्तानांप्रियैस्सह ।त्रस्तानांगच्छतांतूर्णंपुत्रानादायसर्वतः ।।।।तेषांशतसहस्राणितदालङ्कानिवासिनाम् ।अदहत्पावकस्तत्रजज्वाल च पुनःपुनः ।।।।

Transliteration

nānāvidhān gṛhacchandān dadāha hutabhuk tadā | āvāsān rākṣasānāṃ ca sarveṣāṃ gṛhagarthinām ||

Translation

Then the fire consumed houses of many designs—the dwellings of the Rākṣasas, of all who were famed for their grand homes.

Context

The fire consumed many kinds of wonderful homes of Rakshasas, with loved ones on the best beds, their armour made of gold Rakshasas decked with garland s and best of attire their eyes inebriated with intoxication, shaking while walking slowly, holding their loved ones, seized with anger against enemies, holding mace and tridents in hand, eating, drinking and sleeping on the best beds, fast asleep some out of fear taking their sons going quickly and all of them dwelling there in hundreds and thousands were burning again and again.

Characters & Entities

• Agni (hutabhuk)
• Rākṣasas
• Laṅkā (implied by context of residents)

FAQs

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

Adharma-dominated splendor collapses: even celebrated homes cannot endure when unrighteousness brings calamity; dharma alone stabilizes prosperity.

What is the narrative situation?

A great fire spreads through the city, burning the dwellings of the Rākṣasas.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral warning—recognition that pride in wealth without righteousness is insecure.