HomeRamayanaYuddha KandaSarga 3Shloka 18
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Shloka 18

लङ्कादुर्गवर्णनम्

Description of Lanka’s Fortifications and Forces

एकस्त्वकम्प्योबलवान्सङ्क्रमस्सुमहादृढः ।काञ्चनै र्बहुभिस्स्तम्भैर्वेदिकाभिश्चशोभितः ।।।।

ekas tv akampyo balavān saṅkramaḥ sumahādṛḍhaḥ | kāñcanair bahubhis stambhair vedikābhiś ca śobhitaḥ ||

ایک خاص گزرگاہ ایسی تھی جو ہرگز نہ ہلتی تھی—قوی اور نہایت مضبوط—جسے بے شمار سنہری ستونوں اور ویدیکاؤں (قربان گاہوں/چبوتروں) سے آراستہ کیا گیا تھا۔

त्रायन्तेprotect (serve as protection)
त्रायन्ते:
Kriya (क्रिया/Main verb)
TypeVerb
Rootत्रा (धातु)
Formलट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; आत्मनेपद
सङ्क्रमाःcrossings/approaches
सङ्क्रमाः:
Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
TypeNoun
Rootसङ्क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन
तत्रthere
तत्र:
Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootतत्र (अव्यय)
Formदेशवाचक अव्यय
परसैन्यागतेwhen the enemy army has come
परसैन्यागते:
Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Locative absolute condition)
TypeAdjective
Rootपर + सैन्य (प्रातिपदिक) + आगत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
Formसप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; सति-सप्तमी हेतु/काल (locative absolute): 'when the enemy army has arrived'
सतिbeing (the case)
सति:
Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Locative absolute)
TypeVerb
Rootअस् (धातु)
Formशतृ (present participle), सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; सति-सप्तमी (locative absolute)
यन्त्रैःby engines
यन्त्रैः:
Karana (करण/Instrument)
TypeNoun
Rootयन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन
तैःby those
तैः:
Karana (करण/Instrument)
TypeNoun
Rootतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम (refers to engines)
अवकीर्यन्तेare scattered/strewn
अवकीर्यन्ते:
Kriya (क्रिया/Main verb)
TypeVerb
Rootअव + कीर् (धातु)
Formलट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive)
परिखासुin the moats
परिखासु:
Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
TypeNoun
Rootपरिखा (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन
समन्ततःall around
समन्ततः:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/extent)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootसमन्ततः (अव्यय)
Formपरितोभाववाचक अव्यय (adverb: 'all around')

"One of the road ways is very strong and steady, shining with unshakeable golden pillars and altars."

L
Laṅkā
K
kāñcana (gold)
V
vedikā (platform/altar)

FAQs

Dharma here is indirectly shown through the idea of stability: what supports a kingdom—structures, institutions, and discipline—must be firm and reliable.

A standout, especially strong approach/bridge of Laṅkā is being singled out as part of the city’s defensive architecture.

Steadfastness (dhairya/sthairya) as a strategic and moral quality—what is “unshakable” is praised.