Shloka 12

सीताहरणोत्तरं लङ्काप्रवेशः

Sita’s Abduction and Ravana’s Entry into Lanka

Devanagari script

सोऽभिगम्य पुरीं लङ्कां सुविभक्तमहापथाम्।।।।संरूढकक्ष्याबहुलं स्वमन्तःपुरमाविशत्।

Transliteration

so 'bhigamya purīṃ laṅkāṃ suvibhakta-mahāpathām |

saṃrūḍha-kakṣyā-bahulaṃ svam antaḥpuram āviśat ||

Translation

وہ لنکا نگری تک پہنچا—جس کی شاہراہیں کشادہ اور خوب ترتیب دی ہوئی تھیں—اور بہت سے مضبوط حصاروں اور محفوظ احاطوں کو پار کر کے اپنے اندرونی محل میں داخل ہوا۔

Word by Word

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• abhigamya: having approached
• abhigamya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण; prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi-gam (गम् धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यबन्त), 'having approached/entered'

• purīm: city
• purīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: purī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• laṅkām: Laṅkā
• laṅkām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: laṅkā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; apposition to purīm

• su-vibhakta-mahā-pathām: with well-laid great roads
• su-vibhakta-mahā-pathām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su + vibhakta (vi-bhaj, भज् धातु, क्त) + mahā + patha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; qualifies purīm/laṅkām; समासः बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः/कर्मधारयः: 'having well-divided great roads'

• saṃrūḍha-kakṣyā-bahulam: abounding in well-guarded chambers
• saṃrūḍha-kakṣyā-bahulam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saṃ-rūḍha (ruh, रुह् धातु, क्त) + kakṣyā + bahula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; qualifies antaḥpuram; समासः तत्पुरुषः: 'abounding in well-built/secured chambers'

• svam: his own
• svam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; possessive adjective qualifying antaḥpuram

• antaḥpuram: inner palace/harem
• antaḥpuram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: antaḥpura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; समासः अव्ययीभावः (antaḥ + puram) lexicalized 'inner apartments'

• āviśat: entered
• āviśat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-viś (विश् धातु)
• Form: Laṅ (लङ्, Imperfect), Prathama-puruṣa, Ekavacana; parasmaipada

Context

Ravana went through the well laid-out roads of the city of Lanka and through the well many guarded halls of the palace and entered the inner apartment.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Laṅkā
• Antaḥpura (inner apartments)

FAQs

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

External order and fortification cannot substitute for dharma: a well-guarded city cannot protect one from the consequences of unrighteous action.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration shifts to Laṅkā’s layout and Rāvaṇa’s movement into the private quarters after returning with Sītā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The verse indirectly contrasts worldly capability (organization, control) with moral restraint—highlighting the absence of self-governance in Rāvaṇa.