Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 42, Shloka 46

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

Devanagari script

वानराश्चापिसङ्क्रुद्धाःप्राकारस्थान्महीगताः ।राक्षसान्पातयामासुःसमाप्लुत्यप्लवङ्गमाः ।।।।

Transliteration

vānarāś cāpi saṅkruddhāḥ prākārasthān mahīgatāḥ |

rākṣasān pātayāmāsuḥ samāplutya plavaṅgamāḥ ||

Translation

Ang mga Vānara rin, nagngangalit sa galit, ay lumundag at hinila pababa sa lupa ang mga Rākṣasa na nakapuwesto sa mga pader ng tanggulan.

Word by Word

• vānarāḥ: Vanaras
• vānarāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vānara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana

• ca: and
• ca: Samucchaya
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• api: also
• api: Vākyasambandha
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात) ‘also’

• saṅkruddhāḥ: enraged
• saṅkruddhāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saṅkruddha (कृदन्त; √krudh ‘to be angry’ with sam-)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; past participle qualifying vānarāḥ

• prākārasthān: those on the walls
• prākārasthān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prākāra + stha (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Bahuvacana; ‘those standing on the rampart’

• mahīgatāḥ: having reached the ground
• mahīgatāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahī + gata (कृदन्त; √gam)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; ‘having come down to the ground’ (qualifies vānarāḥ)

• rākṣasān: Rakshasas
• rākṣasān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Bahuvacana

• pātayāmāsuḥ: made fall; threw down
• pātayāmāsuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √pat (धातु) causative √pātay (णिजन्त)
• Form: Liṭ lakāra (perfect), Prathama puruṣa (3rd), Bahuvacana; Parasmaipada; causative meaning ‘made fall’

• samāplutya: having leapt
• samāplutya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ā-√plu (धातु)
• Form: Ktvānta (absolutive/gerund), avyaya; ‘having leapt up’

• plavaṅgamāḥ: monkeys
• plavaṅgamāḥ: Karta (कर्ता; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: plavaṅgama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; apposition to vānarāḥ

Context

"Here (Lanka) is the daughter of Janaka, immersed in sorrow because of me, tormented and emaciated without food and struggling."

Characters & Entities

• Vānaras (plavaṅgama)
• Rākṣasas

FAQs

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

Dharma in wartime is portrayed as removing oppressive force and breaking unjust defenses. The Vānaras act as instruments of a righteous campaign to end wrongful captivity.

What is the narrative situation?

During the assault on Laṅkā’s fortifications, Vānaras leap onto the walls and pull down the defending Rākṣasas.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Courage and collective duty—fearless action in coordinated service of Rāma’s righteous mission.