Shloka 31

युद्धलक्षण-निमित्तदर्शनं तथा लङ्काद्वारव्यूहः

War Omens and the Encirclement of Lanka’s Gates

Devanagari script

पताकामालिनींरम्यामुद्यानवनशोभिताम् ।चित्रवप्रासुदुष्प्रापमुच्चैःप्राकारतोरणाम् ।।6.41.31।।तांसुरैरपिदुर्धर्षांरामवाक्यप्रचोदिताः ।यथानिदेशंसम्पीड्यन्यविशन्तवनौकसः ।।6.41.32।।

Transliteration

patākā-mālinīṁ ramyām udyāna-vana-śobhitām |

citra-vaprāsu duṣprāpām uccaiḥ prākāra-toraṇām ||6.41.31||

Translation

അവർ മനോഹരമായ ലങ്കയെ ദർശിച്ചു—ധ്വജമാലകളാൽ അലങ്കരിതവും ഉദ്യാന-വനങ്ങളാൽ ശോഭിതവും; എങ്കിലും സമീപിക്കുവാൻ ദുഷ്കരമായ, വിചിത്ര പ്രാകാരങ്ങളും ഉയർന്ന മതിലുകളും കവാടങ്ങളും ഉള്ളത്.

Word by Word

• पताकामालिनीम्: adorned with garlands of flags
• पताकामालिनीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पताका (प्रातिपदिक) + माला (प्रातिपदिक) + -इन् (तद्धित)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (पताकानां माला यस्याः/यत्र); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण to (लङ्कां/पुरीम् implied)

• रम्याम्: beautiful
• रम्याम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रम्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण

• उद्यानवनशोभिताम्: embellished with gardens and groves
• उद्यानवनशोभिताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उद्यान (प्रातिपदिक) + वन (प्रातिपदिक) + शोभित (√शुभ्/शोभ् धातु, क्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (उद्यानैः वनैश्च शोभिता); क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• चित्रवप्राम्: having wondrous ramparts
• चित्रवप्राम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चित्र (प्रातिपदिक) + वप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय (चित्रा वप्रा); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• सुदुष्प्रापाम्: very hard to reach
• सुदुष्प्रापाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु (अव्यय-उपसर्ग) + दुष् (अव्यय-उपसर्ग) + प्राप्य (√प्राप् धातु, यत्/ण्यत्-भाव)
• Form: उपसर्गयुक्त कृदन्त (दुष्प्राप्य = difficult to reach; सु- intensifier); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• उच्चैः: highly/aloft
• उच्चैः: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उच्चैः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• प्राकारतोरणाम्: with walls and gateways
• प्राकारतोरणाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्राकार (प्रातिपदिक) + तोरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व (प्राकाराश्च तोरणानि च); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिवत् विशेषण-प्रयोग (having walls and gateways)

Context

Commanded by Rama's words the Vanaras remaining in their positions as ordained, entered the wonderful Lanka, which was decorated with flags, embellished with gardens. The defensive walls and arches of the boundary of Lanka were difficult to access even for Devatas.

Characters & Entities

• Laṅkā

FAQs

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

Dharma underscores discernment: outward splendor can coexist with inner danger; one must not be misled by beauty when confronting adharma entrenched behind strong defenses.

What is the narrative situation?

The narrative describes Lanka’s impressive beauty and formidable fortifications as the allied forces approach the city.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Alertness and strategic awareness—seeing both allure and threat clearly.