Shloka 6.31.24

मायाशिरोप्रदर्शनम् (The Display of the Illusory Head of Rāma)

Devanagari script

अथसुप्तस्यरामस्यप्रहस्तेनप्रमाथिना ।असक्तंकृतहस्तेनशिरश्छिन्नंमहासिना ।।।।

Transliteration

atha suptasya rāmasya prahastena pramāthinā | asaktaṃ kṛtahastena śiraśchinnaṃ mahāsinā ||

Translation

Thereafter, the head of Rama, who was sleeping, was severed unhesitatingly with a huge sword by the crushing Prahasta, who is skilled of hand.

Context

"There after the head of Rama, who was sleeping, was severed by Prahastha, skilled at striking, with a big sword without any feeling of attachment."

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Prahasta
• Ravana
• Sita

FAQs

Did Prahasta actually kill Rama in this verse?

No, this verse is part of a deception orchestrated by Ravana. He is lying to Sita, claiming that his commander Prahasta killed Rama while he was sleeping, to break her hope.

What is the significance of the word 'suptasya' (sleeping) in this context?

Ravana uses 'suptasya' to claim Rama was killed in a vulnerable state, implying he was unaware and unable to defend himself, which serves to both shock Sita and diminish Rama's warrior status in the narrative he is fabricating.