Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 3, Shloka 13
लङ्कादुर्गवर्णनम्
Description of Lanka’s Fortifications and Forces
द्वारेषुसंस्कृताभीमाःकालायसमयाश्शिताः ।शतशोरचितावीरैश्शतघ्नयोरक्षसांगणै ।।।।
dvāreṣu saṃskṛtā bhīmāḥ kālāyasa-mayāḥ śitāḥ | śataśo racitā vīraiḥ śataghnayo rakṣasāṃ gaṇaiḥ ||
ദ്വാരങ്ങളിൽ രാക്ഷസയോദ്ധാക്കളുടെ സംഘങ്ങൾ കറുത്ത ഇരുമ്പിൽ നിർമ്മിച്ച് മൂർച്ചപ്പെടുത്തിയ ഭയങ്കര ശതഘ്നികൾ നൂറുകണക്കിന് നിരത്തി വെച്ചിരുന്നു.
At the entrances are troops of terrific looking guards kept ready with a hundred sharpened stones studded with iron spikes.
FAQs
The verse reinforces the dharmic need for prudent planning in warfare: knowing the weapons and defenses helps prevent reckless loss of life.
A detailed inventory-like description of Laṅkā’s gate defenses and armed guard arrangements.
Alertness and preparedness—virtues necessary for protection, though here shown in the adversary’s city.