Shloka 54

प्रहस्तवधः

The Slaying of Prahasta

Devanagari script

तस्ययुद्धाभिकामस्यमृथेमुसलयोधिन ।प्रहस्तस्यशिलांनीलोमूर्ध्नितूर्णमपातयत् ।।।।

Transliteration

tasya yuddhābhikāmasya mṛdhe musala-yodhinaḥ |

prahastasya śilāṁ nīlo mūrdhni tūrṇam apātayat ||6.58.54||

Translation

当挥槌而战的普罗诃斯塔渴求鏖战之际，尼罗迅疾将巨岩砸落在他的头顶。

Word by Word

• तस्य: of him (of Prahasta)
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• युद्ध-अभिकामस्य: desirous of battle
• युद्ध-अभिकामस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yuddha (प्रातिपदिक) + abhikāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषः (युद्धे अभिकामः); पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (desirous of battle)

• मृधे: in battle
• मृधे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mṛdh (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन (locative): युद्धे (in battle)

• मुसल-योधिनः: the mace-fighter
• मुसल-योधिनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: musala (प्रातिपदिक) + yodhin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषः (मुसलेन योधी); पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (fighter with a mace)

• प्रहस्तस्य: of Prahasta
• प्रहस्तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prahasta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• शिलाम्: a rock
• शिलाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śilā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• नीलः: Nila
• नीलः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nīla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (proper noun)

• मूर्ध्नि: on the head
• मूर्ध्नि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mūrdhan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन (locative)

• तूर्णम्: quickly
• तूर्णम्: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tūrṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb): शीघ्रम् (quickly)

• अपातयत्: dropped/struck down
• अपातयत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: apa-√pat (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन (causative sense: caused to fall/struck down)

Context

Fighting with the mallet, Neela quickly dropped the rock on that Prahastha's forehead

Characters & Entities

• Nīla
• Prahasta
• rock (śilā)
• musala (mallet)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

In dharmic warfare, protecting one’s community may require decisive action; the verse underscores swift intervention to neutralize an imminent threat.

What is the narrative situation?

Nīla executes a rapid counterattack, dropping a heavy rock onto Prahasta’s head during close combat.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Naya (tactical judgment) and śaurya (bravery) are emphasized—Nīla chooses an effective, immediate measure.