Shloka 19

प्रहस्तवधः

The Slaying of Prahasta

Devanagari script

नरान्तकःकुम्भहनुर्महानादस्समुन्नतः ।।।।एतेप्रहस्तसचिवास्सर्वेजघ्नुर्वनौकसः ।

Transliteration

narāntakaḥ kumbhahanuḥ mahānādaḥ samunnataḥ | ete prahastasacivāḥ sarve jaghnur vanaukasaḥ ||

Translation

Nārāntaka, Kumbhahanu, Mahānāda und Samunnata — sie alle, Minister und Gefährten Prahastas — erschlugen die Vānara-Krieger.

Word by Word

• नरान्तकः: Narantaka
• नरान्तकः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject; member of list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: narāntaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम (proper noun)

• कुम्भहनुः: Kumbhahanu
• कुम्भहनुः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject; member of list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kumbhahanu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम

• महानादः: Mahanada
• महानादः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject; member of list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahānāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम

• समुन्नतः: Samunnata
• समुन्नतः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject; member of list)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sam-ud-nam (धातु)
• Form: क्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम (Samunnata) / विशेषणार्थे 'uplifted'

• एते: these
• एते: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; निर्देश (these)

• प्रहस्त-सचिवाः: Prahastha's aides
• प्रहस्त-सचिवाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prahasta (प्रातिपदिक) + saciva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: प्रहस्तस्य सचिवाः

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Karta (कर्ता/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; एते इति विशेषण

• जघ्नुः: slew
• जघ्नुः: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: han (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• वनौकसः: the forest-dwellers (Vanaras)
• वनौकसः: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vanaukas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; (वनौकसः = van-dwellers/monkeys)

Context

Naranthaka, Kumbhahanu, Mahanada, Samunnata, all these associates of Prahastha made short work of the monkeys.

Characters & Entities

• Narāntaka
• Kumbhahanu
• Mahānāda
• Samunnata
• Prahasta
• Vānaras (vanaukasaḥ)

FAQs

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

It highlights the power of allegiance and organized command—yet the Ramayana’s ethical lens asks whether such loyalty serves satya and dharma or supports adharma.

What is the narrative situation?

Key Rākṣasa commanders allied with Prahasta are described as cutting down Vānara fighters.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Martial capability and disciplined followership (loyalty to a commander), though morally evaluated by the cause it supports.