Shloka 6.31.21
मायाशिरोप्रदर्शनम् (The Display of the Illusory Head of Rāma)
तत्प्रहस्तप्रणीतेनबलेनमहतामम ।बलमस्यहतंरात्रौयत्ररामस्सलक्ष्मणः ।।।।
tat prahasta-praṇītena balena mahatā mama | balam asya hataṃ rātrau yatra rāmaḥ sa-lakṣmaṇaḥ ||
There, in the night, my great force led by Prahasta struck down their troops—where Rāma was, together with Lakṣmaṇa.
"There in that camp Lakshmana and Rama are killed by my powerful army led by Prahastha at night."
Satya is central by negation: Rāvaṇa’s narrative is crafted to deceive Sītā and weaken her dharmic resolve. The Ramayana repeatedly frames truthfulness as a pillar that must not be surrendered under emotional assault.
Rāvaṇa asserts that his army, under Prahasta, attacked at night and destroyed Rāma’s forces near where Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa were stationed.
Sītā’s commitment to truth and loyalty is tested; her virtue lies in not accepting enemy propaganda as reality.