Shloka 27

प्रहस्तनिर्याणम्

Prahasta’s Departure and the Muster of the Rakshasa Host

Devanagari script

अथामन्त्ऱ्यतुराजानंभेरीमाहत्यभैरवाम् ।आरुरोहरथंयुक्तःप्रहस्तस्सज्जकल्पितम् ।।6.57.25।।हयैर्महाजवैर्युक्तंसम्यक्सूतसुसंयतम् ।महाजलदनिर्घोषंसाक्षाच्चन्द्रार्कभास्वरम् ।।6.57.26।।उरगध्वजदुर्धर्षंसुवरूथंस्ववस्करम् ।सुवर्णजालसंयुक्तंप्रहसन्तमिवश्रिया ।।6.57.27।।

Transliteration

uragadhvaja-durdharṣaṃ suvarūthaṃ svavaskaram |

suvarṇajāla-saṃyuktaṃ prahasantam iva śriyā ||6.57.27||

Translation

Jener Wagen, dessen Banner das Schlangenemblem trug, war schwer zu erstürmen; mit schützenden Geländern und Stoßwehren versehen und von einem goldenen Gitter überzogen—im Glanz schien er zu lächeln.

Word by Word

• उरगध्वजदुर्धर्षम्: (the chariot) bearing a serpent-banner and hard to assail
• उरगध्वजदुर्धर्षम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Karma-viśeṣaṇa; qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उरग-ध्वज-दुर्धर्ष (प्रातिपदिक; उरगः+ध्वजः+दुर्धर्षः)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषणम् (adjective) रथम् (implicit) प्रति

• सुवरूथम्: well-protected / with good fencing (armour)
• सुवरूथम्: कर्म-विशेषण (qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु-वरूथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifier) रथम् (implicit) प्रति

• स्ववस्करम्: having its own protective guard (against collision)
• स्ववस्करम्: कर्म-विशेषण (qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्व-वस्कर (प्रातिपदिक; स्व + वस्कर)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (genitive determinative): 'स्वस्य वस्करम्' (its own collision-guard/defence)

• सुवर्णजालसंयुक्तम्: covered/connected with a golden net
• सुवर्णजालसंयुक्तम्: कर्म-विशेषण (qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुवर्ण-जाल-संयुक्त (प्रातिपदिक; सुवर्णम्+जालम्+संयुक्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तृतीया/सप्तमी-सम्बन्धार्थे तत्पुरुषभावः: 'सुवर्णजालेन संयुक्तम्' (joined/covered with a net of gold)

• प्रहसन्तम्: laughing / as if smiling
• प्रहसन्तम्: कर्म-विशेषण (qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र-हस् (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (present active participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् रथम् (implicit) प्रति

• इव: as if / like
• इव: सम्बन्ध/उपमान-निर्देशक (upamā-marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा-अव्यय (indeclinable of comparison)

• श्रिया: with splendour / by glory
• श्रिया: करण (Karaṇa; instrument/means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (feminine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन; साधन/हेतु (by/with splendour)

Context

Taking leave of the king and causing terrific sound of blowing of drums, Prahastha, ascended, laughing on to a splendorous chariot, equipped to fight, driven by horses endowed with good speed and capable charioteer, sounding like a thundering cloud, shining like the sun and moon, with a sign of serpent on flag, provided with a wooden fence for defence, which was difficult to collide, covered with gold net.

Characters & Entities

• Prahastha
• Lanka
• chariot

FAQs

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

The verse foregrounds kṣātra-dharma as it appears in epic narrative: preparation, readiness, and martial order. Even when the cause is unrighteous (Rāvaṇa’s war), the text depicts disciplined organization and the outward signs of power—inviting reflection on how splendor can mask adharmic intent.

What is the narrative situation?

Prahastha is being portrayed in battle-readiness; the poet describes the formidable, ornate chariot he mounts as he sets out from Lanka for the coming conflict.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Martial preparedness and command-bearing presence (awe-inspiring display, protective equipment, and intimidating insignia), though ethically neutral in itself and dependent on the righteousness of the cause.