Shloka 58

प्रहस्तवधः

The Slaying of Prahasta

Devanagari script

हतेप्रहस्तेनीलेनतदकम्प्यंमहाबलम् ।राक्षसानामहृष्टानांलङ्कामभिजगामह ।।।।

Transliteration

hate prahaste nīlena tad akampyaṃ mahābalam | rākṣasānām ahṛṣṭānāṃ laṅkām abhijagāma ha ||

Translation

When Prahasta was slain by Nila, the cheerless Rakshasas could no longer hold their ground and retreated towards Lanka.

Word by Word

• हते: when (he) was slain
• हते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hata (कृदन्त, √han हिंसागत्योः)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; सति-सप्तमी (locative absolute): when Prahasta was slain

• प्रहस्ते: (in the case of) Prahasta
• प्रहस्ते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prahasta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; सति-सप्तमी (locative absolute)

• नीलेन: by Nila
• नीलेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nīla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; अत्र विशेष्य-सूचकं (refers to बलम्)

• अकम्प्यम्: unshakable
• अकम्प्यम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-kampya (कृदन्त, √kamp कम्पने)
• Form: ण्यत्/यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (gerundive) used adjectivally; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (unshakable)

• महाबलम्: the great army/force
• महाबलम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā + bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारयः; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• राक्षसानाम्: of the Rakshasas
• राक्षसानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• अहृष्टानाम्: of the dejected
• अहृष्टानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-hṛṣṭa (कृदन्त, √hṛṣ हर्षे)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (cheerless)

• लङ्काम्: to Lanka
• लङ्काम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: laṅkā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अभिजगाम: went/returned
• अभिजगाम: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi-√gam (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• ह: indeed
• ह: Nipata (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ha (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle) पदपूरण/निश्चयार्थ (emphatic)

Context

Prahastha having been killed by Neela, the cheerless Rakshasas and unshakeable troops could not stay there any more.

Characters & Entities

• Nīla
• Prahastha
• Rākṣasāḥ (Rakshasas)
• Laṅkā

FAQs

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

Adharma-driven power collapses when its unjust leadership falls; Dharma is shown as steadiness rooted in rightful cause, not mere might.

What is the narrative situation?

After Nīla kills Prahastha, the Rakshasa forces lose morale and begin withdrawing from their position in Laṅkā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Nīla’s vīrya (valor) and steadfastness in battle, contributing to the righteous coalition’s momentum.