Shloka 4
प्रहस्तवधः
The Slaying of Prahasta
राघवस्यवचश्श्रुत्वाप्रत्युवाचविभीषणः ।।6.58.3।।एषसेनापतिस्तस्यप्रहस्तोनामराक्षसः ।लङ्कायांराक्षसेन्द्रस्यत्रिभागबलसम्वृतः ।।6.58.4।।वीर्यवानस्त्रविच्छूरःसुप्रख्याश्चपराक्रमे ।
eṣa senāpatis tasya prahasto nāma rākṣasaḥ |
laṅkāyāṃ rākṣasendrasya tribhāgabalasaṃvṛtaḥ || 6.58.4 ||
vīryavān astravic chūraḥ suprakhyāś ca parākrame |
“ഇവൻ പ്രഹസ്തൻ എന്ന രാക്ഷസൻ—ലങ്കയിൽ രാക്ഷസേന്ദ്രന്റെ സേനാപതി—സൈന്യത്തിന്റെ മൂന്നിലൊരുഭാഗം ചുറ്റിനിൽക്കുന്നു. അവൻ ബലവാൻ, അസ്ത്രവിദ്യയിൽ നിപുണൻ, ശൂരൻ, പരാക്രമത്തിൽ പ്രസിദ്ധൻ.”
On hearing Raghava's words Vibheeshana replied." He is a Rakshasa, by name Prahastha, commander in chief of the army of Rakshasa king. He is widely known for his prowess, conversant with weapons and courageous. He is heroic and a third of the army of Ravana is under his command."
FAQs
Truthful counsel given for righteous action: Vibhīṣaṇa speaks factually about the enemy’s strength so that Rāma may respond with discernment and proper war-duty (kṣātra-dharma), not rashness.
After hearing Rāma’s words, Vibhīṣaṇa identifies and describes Prahastha, a major Laṅkā commander, emphasizing his military capacity and the force under him.
Satya and responsible counsel in Vibhīṣaṇa—accurate intelligence offered for dharmic decision-making in battle.