Shloka 12
Sāvitrī’s Trirātra-Vrata and Departure with Satyavān (सावित्रीव्रतनिश्चयः सहगमनं च)
प्राकारवप्रसम्बाधां निर्मितां विश्वकर्मणा । प्रविवेश पुरीं लड़कां ससीतो राक्षसेश्वर:,साक्षात् विश्वकर्माने उस पुरीका निर्माण किया था। वह सब ओरसे चहारदीवारी तथा खाइयोंद्वारा घिरी हुई थी। राक्षसराज रावणने सीताके साथ उसी लंकापुरीमें प्रवेश किया
prākāravaprasambādhāṃ nirmitāṃ viśvakarmaṇā | praviveśa purīṃ laṅkāṃ sasīto rākṣaseśvaraḥ ||
Mārkaṇḍeya said: The city of Laṅkā, constructed by Viśvakarman, was made secure and hard to approach, enclosed by ramparts and defensive works. Into that fortified city the lord of the Rākṣasas, Rāvaṇa, entered—bringing Sītā with him. The verse underscores how adharma can shelter itself behind power and fortification, even as it carries away what is not rightfully its own.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
External strength—walls, moats, and royal power—can conceal wrongdoing, but it does not transform adharma into dharma. The verse highlights the moral contrast between impressive protection and the unethical act of carrying Sītā away.
In Mārkaṇḍeya’s narration of the Rāmāyaṇa episode within the Mahābhārata, Rāvaṇa arrives at the heavily fortified city of Laṅkā—built by Viśvakarman—and enters it with Sītā in his custody.