Shloka 6.58.34
प्रहस्तवधः (The Slaying of Prahasta)
ततःसृजन्तंबाणौघान्प्रहस्तंस्यन्दनेस्थितम् ।।।।ददर्शतरसानीलोनिघ्नन्तंप्लवङ्गमान् ।
tataḥ sṛjantaṃ bāṇaughān prahastaṃ syandane sthitam |
dadarśa tarasā nīlo nighnantaṃ plavaṅgamān ||6.58.34||
Then Nīla saw Prahasta, stationed upon his chariot, pouring forth volleys of arrows and cutting down the Vānara warriors with fierce speed.
Further Nila saw Prahastha seated and trembling and discharging a volley of arrows with vehemence exterminating monkeys.
Dharma in warfare includes confronting harm decisively to protect one’s side. Nīla’s noticing the threat is the first step of responsible leadership: recognizing where violence is occurring and responding to prevent further unjust destruction.
Nīla identifies Prahasta as a major threat on the battlefield because he is raining arrows and slaying Vānara fighters.
Alert leadership and protective courage in Nīla—readiness to engage a dangerous opponent to defend allies.