Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 42, Shloka 23

लङ्काप्राकारारोहणम् / Assault on Lanka’s Ramparts and the Opening Clash

Devanagari script

पूर्वद्वारंतुकुमुदःकोटीभिर्दशभिर्वृतः ।आवृत्यबलवांस्तस्थौहरिभिर्जितकाशिभिः ।।।।

Transliteration

pūrvadvāraṃ tu kumudaḥ koṭībhir daśabhir vṛtaḥ |

āvṛtya balavāṃs tasthau haribhir jitakāśibhiḥ ||

Translation

Sa silangang tarangkahan, si Kumuda—napalilibutan ng sampung krore ng mga unggoy—ay tumindig na malakas upang harangin ito, kasama ang mga Vānara na kumikislap na wari’y nagwagi na.

Word by Word

• पूर्वद्वारम्: the eastern gate
• पूर्वद्वारम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + द्वार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—पूर्वद्वारम् = पूर्वं द्वारम् (eastern gate)

• तु: but / indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/विशेषार्थक-अव्यय (particle: but/indeed)

• कुमुदः: Kumuda
• कुमुदः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुमुद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (नाम)

• कोटीभिः: with crores (of troops)
• कोटीभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कोटि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• दशभिः: ten
• दशभिः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दशन्/दश (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: (सर्वलिङ्ग), तृतीया, बहुवचन; संख्यावाचक (numeral)

• वृतः: surrounded
• वृतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वृ (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त—क्त (past participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि/भावे (surrounded)

• आवृत्य: having surrounded
• आवृत्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आ + वृ (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त—क्त्वा, अव्ययभाव (having surrounded/covered)

• बलवान्: mighty
• बलवान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बलवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• तस्थौ: stood / remained stationed
• तस्थौ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• हरिभिः: with monkeys
• हरिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• जितकाशिभिः: of triumphant splendor
• जितकाशिभिः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + काशि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—जिता काशिः (दीप्तिः/शोभा) येषां ते (having victorious/bright splendor)

Context

Kumuda, surrounded by ten crores of mighty monkeys, who appeared like conquerors, stationed at the east gate.

Characters & Entities

• Kumuda
• Laṅkā

FAQs

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

Dharma is fulfilled through assigned responsibility: each leader accepts a sector, showing accountability in service of a righteous campaign.

What is the narrative situation?

The Vānara army divides to cover Laṅkā’s gates; Kumuda is stationed at the eastern entrance with a vast force.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Kartavya-niṣṭhā (steadfastness to duty) and strategic steadiness.