Shloka 39
प्रहस्तनिर्याणम्
Prahasta’s Departure and the Muster of the Rakshasa Host
केतुर्मूर्धनिगृध्रोऽस्यनिलीनोदक्षिणामुखः ।तुदन्नुभयतःपार्श्वंसमग्रामहरत्प्रभाम् ।।।।
ketur mūrdhani gṛdhro ’sya nilīno dakṣiṇāmukhaḥ | tudann ubhayataḥ pārśvaṁ samagraṁ harat prabhām ||
اس کے جھنڈے کی چوٹی پر ایک گدھ آ بیٹھا، رخ جنوب کی طرف تھا؛ دونوں پہلوؤں کو چونچ مارتا ہوا گویا اس کی ساری آب و تاب چرا لے گیا—یہ شکست کے قریب آنے کی کھلی نشانی تھی۔
Ravana, the Lord of Rakshasas seeing the city besieged, spoke to Prahastha who was skilled in warfare for his welfare.
FAQs
Dharma is aligned with auspiciousness and moral clarity; when one fights for an unrighteous cause, even symbols of honor (the banner) become marked by inauspicious signs.
As Prahasta advances, a vulture perches on his standard facing south—an omen traditionally associated with death and defeat.
Humility and self-correction are implied: a warrior should reassess his cause when clear signs indicate moral and strategic peril.