Shloka 6.31.23

मायाशिरोप्रदर्शनम् (The Display of the Illusory Head of Rāma)

Devanagari script

पट्टसान्परिघांश्चक्रान्दण्डान्महायशान् ।बाणजालानिशूलानिभास्वरान्कूटमुद्गरान् ।।6.31.22।।यष्टीश्चतोमरान् शक्तीश्चक्राणिमुसलानिच ।उद्यम्योद्यम्यरक्षोभिर्वानरेषुनिपातितां ।।6.31.23।।

Transliteration

atha suptasya rāmasya prahastena pramāthinā | asaktaṃ kṛta-hastena śiraś chinnaṃ mahāsinā ||

Translation

Then Prahasta—skilled and formidable—severed the head of sleeping Rāma with a great sword, without hesitation or attachment.

Context

Again, and again lifting spears, iron bars, javelins, huge staffs, sparkling maces, shining iron mallets and clubs, lances and strong Musalas, the Rakshasas hurled at Vanaras.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Prahasta
• Rāma

FAQs

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

The dharmic lesson is the danger of falsehood used as a weapon: Rāvaṇa’s gruesome claim is meant to shatter Sītā’s satya-based hope and fidelity. The epic upholds truth and steadfastness against such manufactured despair.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa culminates his intimidation by asserting that Prahasta beheaded a sleeping Rāma—part of a coercive, likely false report intended to break Sītā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s unwavering commitment to dharma (faithfulness, truth, and endurance) is the virtue under attack and therefore most emphasized.