Shloka 30

लङ्कादाह-प्रचोदनं तथा वानर-राक्षस-समरारम्भः

The Burning of Lanka and the Outbreak of Battle

Devanagari script

लङ्कायांदह्यमानायांशुशुभे स महार्णवः ।छायासंसक्तसलिलोलोहितोदइवार्णवः ।।।।

Transliteration

laṅkāyāṃ dahyamānāyāṃ śuśubhe sa mahārṇavaḥ |

chāyāsaṃsaktasalilo lohitoda ivārṇavaḥ ||

Translation

Mientras Lanka ardía, el gran océano resplandecía —sus aguas reflejaban la ciudad— de modo que parecía un océano de aguas rojas.

Word by Word

लङ्कायाम्in Lanka

दह्यमानायाम्while (it was) burning

शुशुभेshone, appeared splendid

सःthat (he/it)

महार्णवःthe great ocean

छायासंसक्तसलिलःwhose water was tinged with reflected shadow

लोहितोदःhaving reddish water

इवlike

अर्णवःocean

Context

While Lanka was burning its image reflected in the ocean made the ocean look like an ocean of red waters.

Characters & Entities

Laṅkā

mahārṇava (ocean)

agni (fire)

FAQs

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

Actions have far-reaching effects: adharma’s fire does not remain private; it stains the wider world. Dharma demands responsibility because consequences spread beyond the immediate wrongdoer.

What is the narrative situation?

The burning city’s glow reflects on the sea, making the ocean appear red.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Accountability is emphasized indirectly: the world ‘reflects’ one’s deeds, suggesting that truth (satya) becomes visible through outcomes.