Shloka 3

प्रहस्तनिर्याणम्

Prahasta’s Departure and the Muster of the Rakshasa Host

Devanagari script

तांराक्षसगणैर्गुप्तांगुल्मैर्बहुभिरावृताम् ।।।।ददर्शनगरींलङ्कांपताकाध्वजमालिनीम् ।

Transliteration

tāṃ rākṣasa-gaṇair guptāṃ gulmair bahubhir āvṛtām |

dadarśa garīṃ laṅkāṃ patākā-dhvaja-mālinīm ||6.57.3||

Translation

അവൻ ലങ്കാനഗരിയെ ദർശിച്ചു—രാക്ഷസഗണങ്ങൾ കാവലായും, അനേകം ഗുല്മങ്ങൾ (കാവൽചൗക്കികൾ) ചുറ്റും വളഞ്ഞും, ധ്വജപതാകകളുടെ നിരകളാൽ ശോഭിതമായും.

Word by Word

• ताम्: that
• ताम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• राक्षसगणैः: by hosts of Rakshasas
• राक्षसगणैः: करण (Karana/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राक्षस + गण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘राक्षसानां गणैः’

• गुप्ताम्: guarded
• गुप्ताम्: कर्म-विशेषण (qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गुप्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √गुप् धातु)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (kta)

• गुल्मैः: by outposts
• गुल्मैः: करण (Karana/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुल्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• बहुभिः: many
• बहुभिः: करण-विशेषण (qualifier of instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• आवृताम्: surrounded
• आवृताम्: कर्म-विशेषण (qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आ + √वृ (धातु)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (kta): ‘surrounded’

• ददर्श: saw
• ददर्श: क्रिया (verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √दृश् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• नगरीम्: city
• नगरीम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नगरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• लङ्काम्: Lanka
• लङ्काम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लङ्का (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; नगरीम् इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषणरूपेण (apposition)

• पताकाध्वजमालिनीम्: adorned with flag-banners
• पताकाध्वजमालिनीम्: कर्म-विशेषण (qualifier of city)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पताका + ध्वज + मालिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (समाहार/षष्ठी-प्राय): ‘पताकाध्वजानां मालिनी’ (adorned with rows of flags and banners)

Context

Ravana saw Lanka guarded by the Rakshasa army, surrounded by many posts, with flags, posts, and pennants.

Characters & Entities

• Lanka
• flags (patākā)

FAQs

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

The verse presents the strength of a protected capital—an element of rājan-dharma (state duty). Yet the Ramayana repeatedly contrasts external security with inner righteousness: a well-defended city can still stand on adharma if its ruler violates satya and justice.

What is the narrative situation?

The narrative pauses to depict Lanka’s militarized readiness—guarded troops, multiple posts, and prominent standards—setting the stage for ensuing conflict.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Strategic preparedness and civic organization (fortification and visible command symbols).