Shloka 6.58.46
प्रहस्तवधः (The Slaying of Prahasta)
विधनुस्तुकृतस्तेनप्रहस्तोवाहिनीपतिः ।प्रगृह्यमुसलंघोरंस्यन्दनादवपुप्लुवे ।।।।
vidhanus tu kṛtas tena prahasto vāhinīpatiḥ |
pragṛhya musalaṃ ghoraṃ syandanād avapupluve || 6.58.46 ||
Made bowless by him, Prahastha—the army commander—grasped a dreadful mallet and leapt down from his chariot.
Deprived of bow and chariot, Prahastha, the Commander-in-Chief seizing a terrific mallet jumped down from the chariot.
Persistence in one’s chosen path is shown, though ethically neutral here; the epic invites reflection that determination must be guided by dharma, not merely by allegiance or rage.
After his bow is broken, Prahastha changes tactics, taking up a heavy weapon and entering closer combat on foot.
Tenacity and adaptability in Prahastha.