Shloka 2

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

Devanagari script

रुद्धांतुनगरींश्रुत्वाजातक्रोधोनिशाचरः ।विधानंद्विगुणंश्रुत्वाप्रासादंसोऽध्यरोहत ।।।।

Transliteration

ruddhāṃ tu nagarīṃ śrutvā jātakrodho niśācaraḥ |

vidhānaṃ dviguṇaṃ śrutvā prāsādaṃ so 'dhyarohata ||

Translation

جب اس نے سنا کہ نگری روک لی گئی ہے اور قابو میں آ چکی ہے تو رات میں پھرنے والا سردار (راون) غضبناک ہو اٹھا؛ دفاع کی حالت جان کر اس نے انتظامات دوگنے کرنے کا حکم دیا اور پھر محل کی چھت پر چڑھ گیا۔

Word by Word

• ruddhām: besieged
• ruddhām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √rudh (धातु) > ruddha (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Feminine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; qualifies nagarīm

• tu: but/and
• tu: Sambandha-dyotaka (सम्बन्धद्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, conjunction/particle (contrast/emphasis)

• nagarīm: the city
• nagarīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nagarī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• śrutvā: having heard
• śrutvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √śru (धातु)
• Form: Gerund/absolutive (क्त्वा), avyaya

• jāta-krodhaḥ: one whose anger had arisen (enraged)
• jāta-krodhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jāta (√jan, कृदन्त) + krodha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular; बहुव्रीहि: yasya krodhaḥ jātaḥ saḥ

• niśācaraḥ: the night-ranger (Ravana)
• niśācaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: niśācara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• vidhānam: arrangement/plan
• vidhānam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vidhāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• dviguṇam: twofold/doubled
• dviguṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dvi + guṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular; द्विगु: dvi-guṇam = 'twofold' (as adjective to vidhānam)

• śrutvā: having heard/learnt
• śrutvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √śru (धातु)
• Form: Gerund/absolutive (क्त्वा), avyaya

• prāsādam: the palace/terrace
• prāsādam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prāsāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• adhyarohata: mounted/ascended
• adhyarohata: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: adhi√ruh (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person, Singular, Parasmaipada

Context

Jumping here and there like huge elephants, the Vanaras roaring like lions went into Lanka.

Characters & Entities

• Laṅkā
• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

It highlights rāja-dharma in wartime: a ruler responds to threats by strengthening protection of the city; however, the verse also shows how anger can drive decisions, contrasting prudent governance with emotion-led reaction.

What is the narrative situation?

The Vānara forces have reached and pressured Laṅkā; Rāvaṇa hears the city is effectively besieged/occupied and reacts by escalating defensive measures and going up to the palace to oversee matters.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Strategic vigilance (though mixed with wrath): decisive command and rapid mobilization of defenses in response to a crisis.