Shloka 4
रावण-प्रहस्त-हनूमद्वार्ता
Ravana and Prahasta Question Hanuman
स राजा रोषताम्राक्षः प्रहस्तं मन्त्रिसत्तमम्।कालयुक्तमुवाचेदं वचोऽविपुलमर्थवत्।।।।
sa rājā roṣatāmrākṣaḥ prahastaṃ mantrisattamam |
kālayuktam uvācedaṃ vaco ’vipulam arthavat ||
Der König, dessen Augen vor Zorn gerötet waren, wandte sich an Prahasta, den Vornehmsten der Minister, mit Worten, die zur rechten Zeit gesprochen, kurz und bedeutungsschwer waren.
The infuriated demon king told the great minister Prahasta, these profound words in a brief manner appropriate to the hour.
FAQs
Even in crisis, speech should be measured—timely, concise, and meaningful. The verse highlights disciplined governance through controlled, purposeful communication.
After Hanumān’s capture and the disturbance in Laṅkā, Rāvaṇa turns to his minister Prahasta to proceed appropriately.
Ministerial prudence and statecraft: the expectation that counsel and action be guided by situation-appropriate judgment (kālayukti).