Shloka 46
प्रहस्तनिर्याणम्
Prahasta’s Departure and the Muster of the Rakshasa Host
ततःप्रहस्तःकपिराजवाहिनीमभिप्रतस्थेविजयायदुर्मतिः ।विवृद्धवेगंश्चविवेशतांचमूंयथामुमूर्षुश्शलभोविभावसुम् ।।।।
tataḥ prahastaḥ kapirāja-vāhinīm abhipratasthe vijayāya durmatiḥ | vivṛddha-vegaś ca viveśa tāṁ camūṁ yathā mumūrṣuḥ śalabho vibhāvasum ||6.57.46||
Kemudian Prahasta, dengan niat yang sesat, maju mengejar kemenangan dan menerjang pasukan Raja Kapi; dengan daya yang kian mengganas ia masuk ke dalam bala itu bagaikan ngengat yang melesat ke api, menuju kematiannya sendiri.
"I am not able to see anyone (other than you) knowledgeable in warfare to deliver the city oppressed suddenly and can liberate from war."
FAQs
Adharma—acting from distorted intent—drives one toward self-destruction; the moth-to-flame simile teaches that reckless aggression and bad counsel carry inevitable consequences.
Prahasta initiates a direct assault on the Vānara forces, charging into the Monkey-King’s army with intensified force.
By contrast rather than praise: Prahasta’s lack of discernment (aviveka) is highlighted, underscoring that true strength must be guided by right judgment.