Shloka 14
लङ्कादुर्गवर्णनम्
Description of Lanka’s Fortifications and Forces
सौवर्णस्तुमहांस्तस्याःप्राकारोदुष्प्रधर्षणः ।मणीविद्रुमवैदूर्यमुक्ताविरचितान्तरः ।।।।
sauvarṇas tu mahāṃs tasyāḥ prākāro duṣpradharṣaṇaḥ | maṇī-vidruma-vaidūrya-muktā-viracitāntaraḥ ||
اور اس کا عظیم فصیل سونے کا تھا، جس پر چڑھائی کرنا دشوار تھا؛ اس کے اندرونی حصّے میں جگہ جگہ جواہرات، مرجان، ویدوریہ اور موتیوں کی جڑت تھی۔
"Its lofty golden boundary wall encrusted here and there with gems, corals, Vaiduryas and pearls is difficult to assail."
FAQs
Splendor and wealth are not markers of dharma; the verse implicitly contrasts external magnificence with the moral causes that lead to conflict—inviting reflection on righteous purpose over material grandeur.
The narration continues to portray Laṅkā as both wealthy and militarily formidable through its jeweled golden defenses.
Discernment: recognizing that impressive appearances (wealth/fortifications) do not determine moral rightness or ultimate outcome.