Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 36, Shloka 20

माल्यवानुपदेशः—रावणक्रोधः तथा लङ्काद्वाररक्षा-व्यवस्था

Malyavan’s Counsel, Ravana’s Anger, and the Fortification of Lanka

Devanagari script

राक्षसांतुविरूपाक्षंमहावीर्यपराक्रमम् ।मध्यमेऽस्थापयद्गुल्मेबहुभिस्सहराक्षसैः ।।।।

Transliteration

rākṣasāṃ tu virūpākṣaṃ mahāvīryaparākramam | madhyame 'sthāpayad gulme bahubhiḥ saha rākṣasaiḥ || 6.36.20 ||

Translation

都の中央区画において、彼は多くのラークシャサを伴わせ、力と武勇にすぐれたヴィルーパークシャを隊の中核に据えた。

Word by Word

• राक्षसान्: Rakshasas
• राक्षसान्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राक्षस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; Accusative plural

• तु: but
• तु: सम्बन्ध/अन्वय (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; contrastive particle (but/indeed)

• विरूपाक्षम्: Virūpākṣa
• विरूपाक्षम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विरूपाक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative masculine singular; proper name

• महावीर्यपराक्रमम्: of great strength and valor
• महावीर्यपराक्रमम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा-वीर्य-पराक्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समाहार/निर्देश-तत्पुरुष (determinative): महत् वीर्यं च पराक्रमश्च यस्य; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; qualifies विरूपाक्षम्

• मध्यमे: in the middle
• मध्यमे: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; Locative (in the middle)

• अस्थापयत्: placed
• अस्थापयत्: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-√स्था (धातु) (णिच् causative)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/लङ्), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्; causative sense (placed/caused to stand)

• गुल्मे: in the troop/formation
• गुल्मे: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुल्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; Locative (in the troop/formation)

• बहुभिः: with many
• बहुभिः: सहकारक/सहयोग (Association)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया, बहुवचन; Instrumental plural (with many)

• सह: together with
• सह: सहकारक (Sahakāraka/Association)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सह (अव्यय)
• Form: सह-अव्यय; preposition-like indeclinable (together with)

• राक्षसैः: Rakshasas
• राक्षसैः: सहकारक (Sahakāraka/Association)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राक्षस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; Instrumental plural

Context

"Which person who has learned the truth of sastras will address such harsh words to one in power without instigation?"

Characters & Entities

• Laṅkā (implied city context)
• Virūpākṣa
• Rākṣasas

FAQs

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

Administrative power and organization are ethically neutral; dharma depends on purpose—here martial order is arranged in service of an unrighteous cause.

What is the narrative situation?

Defensive deployments are made within Laṅkā, assigning commanders and troops to key positions.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Strategic competence and command capability are shown, though separated from moral legitimacy.