Shloka 13
लङ्कादुर्गवर्णनम्
Description of Lanka’s Fortifications and Forces
द्वारेषुसंस्कृताभीमाःकालायसमयाश्शिताः ।शतशोरचितावीरैश्शतघ्नयोरक्षसांगणै ।।।।
dvāreṣu saṃskṛtā bhīmāḥ kālāyasa-mayāḥ śitāḥ | śataśo racitā vīraiḥ śataghnayo rakṣasāṃ gaṇaiḥ ||
Nơi các cổng thành, những śataghnī ghê rợn—đúc bằng sắt đen, mài sắc—được các toán dũng sĩ Rākṣasa bày đặt hàng trăm chiếc để phòng thủ.
At the entrances are troops of terrific looking guards kept ready with a hundred sharpened stones studded with iron spikes.
FAQs
The verse reinforces the dharmic need for prudent planning in warfare: knowing the weapons and defenses helps prevent reckless loss of life.
A detailed inventory-like description of Laṅkā’s gate defenses and armed guard arrangements.
Alertness and preparedness—virtues necessary for protection, though here shown in the adversary’s city.