Shloka 2

लङ्काप्राकारारोहणम् / Assault on Lanka’s Ramparts and the Opening Clash

Devanagari script

रुद्धांतुनगरींश्रुत्वाजातक्रोधोनिशाचरः ।विधानंद्विगुणंश्रुत्वाप्रासादंसोऽध्यरोहत ।।।।

Transliteration

ruddhāṃ tu nagarīṃ śrutvā jātakrodho niśācaraḥ |

vidhānaṃ dviguṇaṃ śrutvā prāsādaṃ so 'dhyarohata ||

Translation

Apprenant que la cité avait été bloquée et investie, le seigneur des rākṣasa fut saisi de colère ; et, informé de l’état des défenses, il ordonna de doubler les dispositions, puis monta sur la terrasse du palais.

Word by Word

• ruddhām: besieged
• ruddhām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √rudh (धातु) > ruddha (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Feminine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; qualifies nagarīm

• tu: but/and
• tu: Sambandha-dyotaka (सम्बन्धद्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, conjunction/particle (contrast/emphasis)

• nagarīm: the city
• nagarīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nagarī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• śrutvā: having heard
• śrutvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √śru (धातु)
• Form: Gerund/absolutive (क्त्वा), avyaya

• jāta-krodhaḥ: one whose anger had arisen (enraged)
• jāta-krodhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jāta (√jan, कृदन्त) + krodha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular; बहुव्रीहि: yasya krodhaḥ jātaḥ saḥ

• niśācaraḥ: the night-ranger (Ravana)
• niśācaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: niśācara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• vidhānam: arrangement/plan
• vidhānam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vidhāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• dviguṇam: twofold/doubled
• dviguṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dvi + guṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular; द्विगु: dvi-guṇam = 'twofold' (as adjective to vidhānam)

• śrutvā: having heard/learnt
• śrutvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √śru (धातु)
• Form: Gerund/absolutive (क्त्वा), avyaya

• prāsādam: the palace/terrace
• prāsādam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prāsāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• adhyarohata: mounted/ascended
• adhyarohata: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: adhi√ruh (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person, Singular, Parasmaipada

Context

Jumping here and there like huge elephants, the Vanaras roaring like lions went into Lanka.

Characters & Entities

• Laṅkā
• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

It highlights rāja-dharma in wartime: a ruler responds to threats by strengthening protection of the city; however, the verse also shows how anger can drive decisions, contrasting prudent governance with emotion-led reaction.

What is the narrative situation?

The Vānara forces have reached and pressured Laṅkā; Rāvaṇa hears the city is effectively besieged/occupied and reacts by escalating defensive measures and going up to the palace to oversee matters.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Strategic vigilance (though mixed with wrath): decisive command and rapid mobilization of defenses in response to a crisis.