Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 57, Shloka 40
प्रहस्तनिर्याणम्
Prahasta’s Departure and the Muster of the Rakshasa Host
सारथेर्भहुशश्चास्यसङ्ग्राममवगाहतः ।प्रतोदोन्यपतद्धस्तात्सूतस्यहयसादिनः ।।।।
sārather bahuśaś cāsya saṅgrāmam avagāhataḥ | pratodo nyapatad hastāt sūtasya haya-sādinaḥ ||
戦場へ踏み入ると、馬を操ることに長けた御者が、何度も何度も鞭を手から落としてしまった――統御の衰えを告げる、また一つの凶兆である。
A charioteer and knower of controlling the horses, the whip slipped many times from his hand.
FAQs
Loss of control symbolizes moral misdirection: when the cause is not grounded in dharma, even practical mastery can falter, warning against proceeding with unjust action.
During Prahasta’s advance into battle, his charioteer experiences repeated mishaps—dropping the whip—signaling instability.
Discipline and steadiness are the implied virtues; the verse highlights their breakdown as a sign of looming defeat.