Shloka 6.75.23

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

Devanagari script

ज्वलनेनपरीतानिनिपेतुर्भवनान्वथ ।वज्रिवज्रहतानीवशिखराणिमहागिरेः ।।।।

Transliteration

vimāneṣu prasuptāś ca dahyamānā varāṅganāḥ |

tyaktābharaṇasarvāṅgā hāheti uccair vicukruśuḥ || 6.75.24 ||

Translation

In the upper chambers, lovely women lay asleep yet were scorched by the flames; casting off their ornaments, they cried aloud, “Alas! Alas!”

Context

The mansions burnt by fire fell down like a huge mountain struck by a thunderbolt.

Characters & Entities

• Women of Laṅkā (varāṅganāḥ)
• Vimānas (upper chambers)
• Fire

FAQs

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

The suffering of innocents highlights why rulers must uphold dharma: adharma in power spreads pain to those least responsible.

What is the narrative situation?

As flames reach the upper apartments, women awaken amid burning and cry out in terror, abandoning even their valuables.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Karunā (compassion) is evoked in the audience: the epic invites moral reflection on how unrighteous actions create widespread human suffering.