Shloka 39
प्रहस्तनिर्याणम्
Prahasta’s Departure and the Muster of the Rakshasa Host
केतुर्मूर्धनिगृध्रोऽस्यनिलीनोदक्षिणामुखः ।तुदन्नुभयतःपार्श्वंसमग्रामहरत्प्रभाम् ।।।।
ketur mūrdhani gṛdhro ’sya nilīno dakṣiṇāmukhaḥ | tudann ubhayataḥ pārśvaṁ samagraṁ harat prabhām ||
তার ধ্বজদণ্ডের শীর্ষে দক্ষিণমুখী এক শকুন এসে বসেছিল। দু’পাশে ঠোকরাতে ঠোকরাতে যেন তার সমস্ত দীপ্তি কেড়ে নিচ্ছিল—পরাজয়ের স্পষ্ট অমঙ্গল-লক্ষণ।
Ravana, the Lord of Rakshasas seeing the city besieged, spoke to Prahastha who was skilled in warfare for his welfare.
FAQs
Dharma is aligned with auspiciousness and moral clarity; when one fights for an unrighteous cause, even symbols of honor (the banner) become marked by inauspicious signs.
As Prahasta advances, a vulture perches on his standard facing south—an omen traditionally associated with death and defeat.
Humility and self-correction are implied: a warrior should reassess his cause when clear signs indicate moral and strategic peril.