Shloka 6.75.27

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

Devanagari script

हर्म्याग्रैर्दह्यमानैश्चज्वालाप्रज्वलितैरपि ।रात्रौसादृश्यतेलङ्कापुष्पितैरिवकिंशुकैः ।।।।

Transliteration

harmyāgrair dahyamānaiś ca jvālāprajvalitair api |

rātrau sādṛśyate laṅkā puṣpitair iva kiṃśukaiḥ ||

Translation

With the rooftops of palaces burning and blazing with flames, Laṅkā in the night looked as though it were covered with flowering kiṃśuka trees.

Context

While the tops of dwellings were burning, flames were blazing, and Lanka seemed adorned with Kimsuka blossoms.

Characters & Entities

• Laṅkā
• kiṃśuka (Butea monosperma)
• agni (fire)

FAQs

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

The verse highlights a Ramayana theme: beauty without Dharma is deceptive. The city’s ‘flower-like’ appearance is actually destruction—an image of how adharma can masquerade as splendor until truth (satya) reveals its real nature.

What is the narrative situation?

Night falls as fires spread across Laṅkā; the blaze on palace roofs makes the city appear like a landscape of red blossoms.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral clarity—seeing beyond appearances—is implied for the audience: Dharma requires discernment, not being misled by outward glamour.