Shloka 9

लङ्कादाहः — The Burning of Lanka

Catuḥpañcāśaḥ Sargaḥ

Devanagari script

अवप्लुत्य महावेगः प्रहस्तस्य निवेशनम्।अग्निं तत्र स निक्षिप्य श्वसनेन समो बली।।5.54.8।।ततोऽन्यत्पुप्लुवे वेश्म महापार्श्वस्य वीर्यवान्।मुमोच हनुमानग्निं कालानलशिखोपमम्।।5.54.9।।

Transliteration

avaplutya mahāvegaḥ prahastasya niveśanam |

agniṃ tatra sa nikṣipya śvasanena samo balī || 5.54.8 ||

tato ’nyat pupluve veśma mahāpārśvasya vīryavān |

mumo ca hanumān agniṃ kālānalaśikhopamam || 5.54.9 ||

Translation

മഹാവേഗിയും ബലവാനുമായ, കാറ്റിന്റെ വേഗത്തോടു സമനായ അവൻ പ്രഹസ്തന്റെ വസതിയിൽ ചാടി ഇറങ്ങി അവിടെ അഗ്നി വെച്ചു. പിന്നെ വീര്യവാനായ ഹനുമാൻ മഹാപാർശ്വന്റെ മറ്റൊരു മന്ദിരത്തിലേക്ക് ചാടിപ്പോയി, പ്രളയാഗ്നിശിഖയെപ്പോലെ ജ്വലിക്കുന്ന തീ വിടർത്തി.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then, thereafter
• tataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya), कालवाचक-अव्यय (temporal adverb)

• anyat: another
• anyat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular); विशेषण (adjective)

• pupluve: leapt, sprang
• pupluve: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: plu (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (singular), परस्मैपद (Parasmaipada)

• veśma: house, mansion
• veśma: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: veśman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular)

• mahāpārśvasya: of Mahāpārśva
• mahāpārśvasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahāpārśva (प्रातिपदिक; महा + पार्श्व)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (singular)

• vīryavān: valiant, mighty
• vīryavān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vīryavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular); विशेषण (adjective)

• mumoca: released, let loose
• mumoca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: muc (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (singular), परस्मैपद (Parasmaipada)

• hanumān: Hanumān
• hanumān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hanumat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular)

• agnim: fire
• agnim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: agni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular)

• kālānalaśikhā-upamam: like the flame of the fire of dissolution
• kālānalaśikhā-upamam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kālānalaśikhā + upama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular); विशेषण (adjective)

Context

Powerful and brave Hanuman who was equal to the Windgod in speed jumped down on the house of Prahasta and set fire to it. From there he jumped on to Mahaparsva's house and set it ablaze. Hanuman appeared like the fireflame at the time of dissolution.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Prahasta
• Mahāpārśva
• Laṅkā
• Agni (fire)

FAQs

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

Righteous power must be directed by purpose: the imagery of cosmic fire underscores the magnitude of force unleashed in the service of justice.

What is the narrative situation?

This verse reiterates the same burning sequence (as transmitted in this recension’s numbering), emphasizing the spread of fire to key rākṣasa mansions.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Determination and martial vigor: Hanumān’s relentless movement from target to target highlights unwavering resolve.