Shloka 6.75.21
लङ्कादाह-प्रचोदनं तथा वानर-राक्षस-समरारम्भः (The Burning of Lanka and the Outbreak of Battle)
सारवन्तिमहार्हाणिगम्भीरगुणवन्ति च ।हेमचन्द्रार्धचन्द्राणिचन्द्रशालोनतानि च ।।6.75.19।।तत्रचित्रगवाक्षाणिसाधिष्ठानानिसर्वशः ।मणिविद्रुमचित्राणिस्पृशन्तीवदिवाकरम् ।।6.75.20।।क्रौञ्चबर्हिबवीणानांभूषणानां च निस्स्वनैः ।नादितान्यचलाभानिवेश्मान्यग्निर्ददाह स ।।6.75.21।।
jvalanena parītāni toraṇāni cakāśire |
vidyudbhir iva naddhāni meghajālāni gharmage || 6.75.22 ||
Wrapped in flames, the toranas—arched gateways—shone like summer cloud-masses girdled with lightning.
The fire consumed the houses which were strong and impenetrable, with many enclosures, magnificent ones, constructed in gold in the shape of a half moon and full moon, windows endowed with wonderful pictures. All over the rooms were high on top, decorated with gems, and as if touching the Sun. It was rendered noisy with notes of herons and peacocks, playing of Veena, and jingling of ornaments like the vibration of sounds. The dwellings which looked like mountains were consumed by fire.
The verse reinforces moral causality through imagery: the brilliance of power and wealth can turn into the terrifying radiance of ruin when dharma is abandoned.
The city’s gateways and ceremonial arches are visibly aflame, becoming luminous markers of Laṅkā’s crisis.
Alertness and responsibility are implied: ignoring dharma allows danger to spread until even public symbols (archways) are consumed.