Shloka 29

प्रहस्तनिर्याणम्

Prahasta’s Departure and the Muster of the Rakshasa Host

Devanagari script

ततोदुन्धुभिनिर्घोषःपर्जन्यनिनदोपमः ।वादित्राणांचनिनदःपूरयन्निवमेदिनीम् ।।।।शुश्रुवेशङ्खशब्दश्चप्रयातेवाहिनीपतौ ।

Transliteration

tato dundubhi-nirghoṣaḥ parjanya-ninada-upamaḥ |

vāditrāṇāṃ ca ninadaḥ pūrayann iva medinīm |

śuśruve śaṅkha-śabdaś ca prayāte vāhinī-patau ||6.57.29||

Translation

Als der Heerführer aufbrach, erhob sich der Donner der Kesseltrommeln, dem Grollen des Regengewitters gleich; dazu das Dröhnen der Instrumente, und auch Muschelhörner waren zu hören—als würde die Erde selbst von Klang erfüllt.

Word by Word

ततःthen

दुन्दुभिनिर्घोषःthe roar of kettle-drums

पर्जन्यनिनदोपमःlike the rumble of thunderclouds

वादित्राणाम्of musical instruments / fanfares

चand

निनदःnoise / din

पूरयन्filling

इवas if

मेदिनीम्the earth

शुश्रुवेwas heard

शङ्खशब्दःsound of conches

चalso

प्रयातेwhen (he) had departed

वाहिनीपतौin/when the commander of the army (had gone)

Context

As the Commander-in-Chief was going there arose sounds of kettle drums, blasts of fanfares, and noise of blasts of conchs filling the earth was heard.

Characters & Entities

Prahastha (vāhinīpati)

conch (śaṅkha)

earth (medinī)

FAQs

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

The verse underscores collective coordination in warfare—signals, instruments, and public mobilization. In dharmic reflection, it warns that mass enthusiasm and grand spectacle are not proofs of righteousness; satya and justice must guide power.

What is the narrative situation?

Prahastha’s departure is accompanied by deafening martial music—drums, instruments, and conches—marking the army’s movement.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Command-and-control capability: the ability to marshal forces and create unified momentum (though not necessarily moral legitimacy).