Shloka 4

राक्षसेन्द्रनिवेशनविचारः

Survey of Ravana’s Residence and Lanka’s Inner Quarters

Devanagari script

रूप्यकोपहितै श्चित्रैस्तोरणैर्हेमभूषितैः।विचित्राभिश्च कक्ष्याभिर्द्वारैश्च रुचिरैर्वृतम्।।।।

Transliteration

rūpyakopahitaiś citrais toraṇair hemabhūṣitaiḥ |

vicitrābhiś ca kakṣyābhir dvāraiś ca rucirair vṛtam || 5.6.4 ||

Translation

ସେ ଭବନ ରୂପ୍ୟଜଡିତ ଓ ହେମଭୂଷିତ ବିଚିତ୍ର ତୋରଣମାନଙ୍କଦ୍ୱାରା, ଏବଂ ଅଲଙ୍କୃତ ଅନ୍ତର୍କକ୍ଷ୍ୟା ଓ ରୁଚିର ଦ୍ୱାରମାନଙ୍କଦ୍ୱାରା ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଭାବେ ଘେରା ଥିଲା।

Word by Word

• rūpya-ka-upahitaiḥ: inlaid with silver
• rūpya-ka-upahitaiḥ: Visheshana (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rūpya (प्रातिपदिक) + ka (प्रातिपदिक; ‘silver’) + upahita (कृदन्त; √dhā (धा) + upa + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘inlaid/placed with silver’

• citaiḥ: variegated/wondrous
• citaiḥ: Visheshana (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: citra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• toraṇaiḥ: with archways
• toraṇaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: toraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन

• hema-bhūṣitaiḥ: gold-adorned
• hema-bhūṣitaiḥ: Visheshana (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hema (प्रातिपदिक) + bhūṣita (कृदन्त; √bhūṣ (भूष्) + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘adorned with gold’

• vicitrābhiḥ: various/ornate
• vicitrābhiḥ: Visheshana (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vicitra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

• kakṣyābhiḥ: with corridors/inner enclosures
• kakṣyābhiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kakṣyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन

• dvāraiḥ: with doors/gates
• dvāraiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

• ruciraiḥ: beautiful
• ruciraiḥ: Visheshana (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rucira (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• vṛtam: surrounded
• vṛtam: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vṛta (कृदन्त; √vṛ (वृ) + क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘surrounded’ (PPP)

Context

He saw beautiful silver archways decorated with gold, colourful inner apartments with beauteous entrances.

Characters & Entities

• Hanuman (contextual observer)
• Ravana (contextual, palace owner)

FAQs

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

The verse highlights that external beauty and wealth can surround a place, but dharma is measured by conduct; Hanuman’s truthful noticing without being misled models discernment.

What is the narrative situation?

Early in the sarga’s palace-description, the narrator details the ornate gateways and architectural defenses seen by Hanuman.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Discernment (viveka): appreciating detail while remaining oriented to the higher aim of dharma.