Shloka 18

लङ्कादुर्गवर्णनम्

Description of Lanka’s Fortifications and Forces

Devanagari script

एकस्त्वकम्प्योबलवान्सङ्क्रमस्सुमहादृढः ।काञ्चनै र्बहुभिस्स्तम्भैर्वेदिकाभिश्चशोभितः ।।।।

Transliteration

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

Translation

Có một lối vượt biển ấy thật bất động, hùng mạnh và vô cùng kiên cố, được trang hoàng bằng vô số trụ vàng rực rỡ cùng các bệ đàn, lễ đài uy nghi.

Word by Word

• त्रायन्ते: protect (serve as protection)
• त्रायन्ते: Kriya (क्रिया/Main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: त्रा (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; आत्मनेपद

• सङ्क्रमाः: crossings/approaches
• सङ्क्रमाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सङ्क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक अव्यय

• परसैन्यागते: when the enemy army has come
• परसैन्यागते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Locative absolute condition)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर + सैन्य (प्रातिपदिक) + आगत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; सति-सप्तमी हेतु/काल (locative absolute): 'when the enemy army has arrived'

• सति: being (the case)
• सति: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Locative absolute)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ (present participle), सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; सति-सप्तमी (locative absolute)

• यन्त्रैः: by engines
• यन्त्रैः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• तैः: by those
• तैः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम (refers to engines)

• अवकीर्यन्ते: are scattered/strewn
• अवकीर्यन्ते: Kriya (क्रिया/Main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव + कीर् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive)

• परिखासु: in the moats
• परिखासु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परिखा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन

• समन्ततः: all around
• समन्ततः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/extent)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: समन्ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: परितोभाववाचक अव्यय (adverb: 'all around')

Context

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

Characters & Entities

• Laṅkā
• kāñcana (gold)
• vedikā (platform/altar)

FAQs

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

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

What is the narrative situation?

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

Which character virtue is emphasized?

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