Shloka 12

लङ्कादुर्गवर्णनम्

Description of Lanka’s Fortifications and Forces

Devanagari script

तत्रेषूपलयन्त्राणिबलवन्तिमहान्तिच ।आगतंपरसैन्यंतैस्तत्रप्रतिनिवार्यते ।।।।

Transliteration

tatreṣūpala-yantrāṇi balavanti mahānti ca | āgataṃ para-sainyaṃ tais tatra pratinivāryate ||

Translation

城中设有强大而巨大的抛射器械，可发箭掷石；凭借这些，来犯的敌军便会在此被阻遏并击退。

Word by Word

• दृढबद्धकवाटानि: firmly fastened doors
• दृढबद्धकवाटानि: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दृढ + बद्ध + कवाट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (दृढबद्धानि कवाटानि = firmly fastened doors)

• महापरिघवन्ति: having great bars (bolts)
• महापरिघवन्ति: Karta (कर्ता/subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा + परिघवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifying कवाटानि); कर्मधारय (महान्तः परिघाः सन्ति येषु)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक निपात (conjunction)

• द्वाराणि: gateways, entrances
• द्वाराणि: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• विपुलानि: wide, spacious
• विपुलानि: Karta (कर्ता/subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विपुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifying द्वाराणि)

• अस्याः: of this (city)
• अस्याः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• चत्वारि: four
• चत्वारि: Karta (कर्ता/subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), बहुवचन; संख्यावाचक विशेषण (qualifying द्वाराणि)

• सुमहान्ति: very great, huge
• सुमहान्ति: Karta (कर्ता/subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु + महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifying द्वाराणि); कर्मधारय (अतिमहान्ति)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक निपात (conjunction)

Context

"The doors are fitted with powerful machines which retaliate by discharging darts and stones on the enemy's army and kill them."

Characters & Entities

• Laṅkā
• yantra (war engines)

FAQs

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

Accurate reconnaissance is part of righteous leadership: it helps avoid impulsive violence and supports proportionate, considered action.

What is the narrative situation?

The verse continues the description of Laṅkā’s defenses, emphasizing mechanical means of repelling attackers.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Foresight—anticipating challenges and adapting strategy accordingly.