Shloka 6.58.40

प्रहस्तवधः (The Slaying of Prahasta)

Devanagari script

नीलःशरैरभिहतोनिशितैर्ज्वलनोपमैः ।।6.58.39।।सतंपरमदुर्धर्षमापतन्तंमहाकपिः ।प्रहस्तंताडयामासवृक्षमुत्पाट्यवीर्यवान् ।।6.58.40।।

Transliteration

sa taṃ paramadurdharṣam āpatantaṃ mahākapiḥ |

prahastaṃ tāḍayāmāsa vṛkṣam utpāṭya vīryavān || 6.58.40 ||

Translation

Then the valiant great Vānara struck Prahasta—most difficult to resist—as he charged forward, uprooting a tree and using it as a weapon.

Context

Great Vanara, a valiant one, Nila having been hit with arrows sharp as tongues of fire, struck Prahastha, who is most difficult to encounter and rushing towards him by uprooting a tree.

Characters & Entities

• Nīla
• Prahastha

FAQs

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

Steadfast performance of duty in a just cause: Nīla meets an onrushing foe without retreat, embodying disciplined courage aligned with the war-duty of protecting the righteous.

What is the narrative situation?

In the battle at Laṅkā, Nīla confronts the charging commander Prahastha and counters him with improvised strength—an uprooted tree.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Fearless resolve (dhairya) and strength (vīrya) in Nīla.