Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 39, Shloka 23
लङ्कादर्शनम्
Viewing Laṅkā and its Forest-Gardens
यस्यांस्तम्भसहस्रेणप्रासादस्समलङ्कृतः ।कैलासशिखराकारोदृश्यतेखमिवोललिखन् ।।6.39.23।।चैत्यस्सराक्षसेन्द्रस्यबभूवपुरभूषणम् ।शतेनरक्षसांनित्यंयस्समग्रेणरक्ष्यते ।।6.39.24।।
yasyāṃ stambha-sahasreṇa prāsādaḥ samalaṅkṛtaḥ |
kailāsa-śikhara-ākāro dṛśyate kham ivolalikhan ||6.39.23||
caityaḥ sa rākṣasendrasya babhūva pura-bhūṣaṇam |
śatena rakṣasāṃ nityaṃ yaḥ samagreṇa rakṣyate ||6.39.24||
Sa lungsod na iyon ay may palasyong pinalamutian ng sanlibong haligi, anyong tuktok ng Bundok Kailāsa, wari’y kumakayod sa langit. Ang dakilang dambanang yaon ng panginoon ng mga rākṣasa ang naging pangunahing hiyas ng lungsod—laging binabantayan nang ganap ng sandaang rākṣasa.
In that city, which was always protected fully by a hundred Rakshasas, there was a palace with thousand pillars, which looked like peak of mount Kailas, and was as though it was scraping the sky and it as like an ornament of Lanka, the city of Rakshasa's Lord.
FAQs
The verse cautions against pride (mada) and the misuse of power: towering monuments and heavy security can signal fear and domination rather than dharma. The epic’s dharma ideal is protection rooted in justice, not protection rooted in wrongful possession.
The narration highlights a central, monumental palace/shrine associated with Rāvaṇa, emphasizing both its grandeur and its constant armed protection.
Rāma’s commitment to satya and rightful order is emphasized by contrast with Rāvaṇa’s guarded magnificence—strength used for restoration rather than for arrogant display.