Shloka 6.75.32

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

Devanagari script

नारीजनस्यधूमेनव्याप्तस्योच्चैर्विनेदुषः ।स्वनोज्वलनतप्तस्यशुश्रुवेशतयोजनम् ।।।।

Transliteration

nārījanasyadhūmena vyāptasyoccair vineduṣaḥ |

svano jvalanataptasya śuśruve śatayojanam ||

Translation

The cries of the women—choked by the spreading smoke and scorched by the blazing fire—were heard for a hundred yojanas.

Context

By the smoke that spread, scorched by the fire, the clamour of the women folk at the top of their voice was heard at a hundred yojanas.

Characters & Entities

• Laṅkā
• womenfolk (nārījana)
• smoke (dhūma)
• fire (jvalana)

FAQs

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

Dharma demands compassion and awareness of collateral suffering. The Ramayana repeatedly shows that adharma by a ruler brings anguish upon innocents; thus leadership must be anchored in satya and restraint.

What is the narrative situation?

As smoke and flames engulf the city, the terrified cries of women carry across vast distances.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Karunā (compassion) is evoked in the listener/reader: recognizing the human cost of conflict strengthens commitment to dharmic governance.