Shloka 22
लङ्कादाह-प्रचोदनं तथा वानर-राक्षस-समरारम्भः
The Burning of Lanka and the Outbreak of Battle
ज्वलनेनपरीतानितोरणानिचकाशिरे ।विद्युद्भिरिवनद्धानिमेघजालानिघर्मगे ।।।।
jvalanena parītāni toraṇāni cakāśire |
vidyudbhir iva naddhāni meghajālāni gharmage || 6.75.22 ||
Gerbang-gerbang lengkung yang diselubungi nyala api tampak berkilau, bagaikan gugusan awan musim panas yang diikat oleh kilat.
The fire consumed the houses which were strong and impenetrable, with many enclosures, magnificent ones, constructed in gold in the shape of a half moon and full moon, windows endowed with wonderful pictures. All over the rooms were high on top, decorated with gems, and as if touching the Sun. It was rendered noisy with notes of herons and peacocks, playing of Veena, and jingling of ornaments like the vibration of sounds. The dwellings which looked like mountains were consumed by fire.
FAQs
The verse reinforces moral causality through imagery: the brilliance of power and wealth can turn into the terrifying radiance of ruin when dharma is abandoned.
The city’s gateways and ceremonial arches are visibly aflame, becoming luminous markers of Laṅkā’s crisis.
Alertness and responsibility are implied: ignoring dharma allows danger to spread until even public symbols (archways) are consumed.