Shloka 12

रावणस्यात्मप्रशंसा लङ्कावर्णनं च

Ravana’s Self-Praise and the Description of Lanka

Devanagari script

हस्त्यश्वरथसम्बाधा तूर्यनादविनादिता।सर्वकालफलैर्वृक्षैस्सङ्कुलोद्द्यानशोभिता।।।।

Transliteration

hastyaśvarathasambādhā tūryanādavināditā | sarvakālaphalair vṛkṣaiḥ saṅkulodyānaśobhitā ||

Translation

城中象马车乘往来拥挤，乐器之声轰然回荡；游园繁盛华美，树木丛生，四时皆结甘果。

Word by Word

• hasti-aśva-ratha-sambādhā: crowded with elephants, horses, and chariots
• hasti-aśva-ratha-sambādhā: Visheshana (विशेषण of purī)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hasti (प्रातिपदिक) + aśva (प्रातिपदिक) + ratha (प्रातिपदिक) + sambādha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; द्वन्द्व-पूर्वपदसमाहार + तत्पुरुषभाव (हस्त्यश्व-रथैः सम्बाधा)

• tūrya-nāda-vināditā: resounding with trumpet-sounds
• tūrya-nāda-vināditā: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tūrya (प्रातिपदिक) + nāda (प्रातिपदिक) + vi+nād (नाद् धातु) + ita (इत)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्त/इत-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; तत्पुरुष-समास (तूर्यनादेन विनादिता)

• sarva-kāla-phalaiḥ: with fruits in all seasons
• sarva-kāla-phalaiḥ: Karana (करण; with fruits of all seasons)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + kāla (प्रातिपदिक) + phala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (सर्वकालेषु फलानि)

• vṛkṣaiḥ: by trees
• vṛkṣaiḥ: Karana (करण; by/with trees)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛkṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• saṅkula-udyāna-śobhitā: adorned with crowded/abundant gardens
• saṅkula-udyāna-śobhitā: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saṅkula (प्रातिपदिक) + udyāna (प्रातिपदिक) + śobhita (शुभ्/शोभ् धातु, क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (सङ्कुलैः उद्यानैः शोभिता)

Context

It is crowded with elephants, horses and chariots. It resounds with the music of trumpets. The trees in the delightful pleasuregardens yield fruits in all seasons.

Characters & Entities

• Laṅkā

FAQs

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

The verse continues the theme of temptation through prosperity; dharma teaches discernment—abundance and enjoyment are not inherently virtuous and can be used to mislead.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa elaborates on Laṅkā’s bustle, music, and perpetual fruitfulness to persuade Sītā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s restraint and loyalty are implicitly foregrounded, as she is urged to value pleasure over principle.