Prahasta

Family: Rákshases · Role: father of Jambumáli · First appears: Book V, Canto 44 · Jambumáli’s Death

In Book V, Rávaṇ sent Prahasta’s sons forth as generals after hearing of Jambumáli’s death; Jambumáli is named as Prahasta’s son. Prahasta served Rávaṇ and questioned Hanumán in Book V, Canto 50. In Book VI, he spoke of his fight with Hanumán, arrayed troops to guard Lanká, and was assigned the eastern gate while Rávaṇ took charge of the north.

After Rávaṇ declared that he, Kumbhakarṇa, or Prahasta must go forth, Prahasta sallied out. In Book VI, Níla crushed him with a huge tree. Later, Rávaṇ named Prahasta among those who had “perished by the might of one,” Ráma.

Relationship record

Life events

• Rávaṇ sent Prahasta’s sons forth as his generals.(Book V, Canto 44 · Jambumáli’s Death)
  • With: Rávaṇ
  • “And forth his general’s sons he sent,”
• Hanúmán fought Prahasta and fled.(Book VI, Canto 8 · Prahasta’s Speech)
  • With: Hanumán
  • “Or never had he lived to flee And boast that he has fought with me.”
• Prahasta arrayed troops to guard Lanká and its citadel.(Book VI, Canto 12 · Rávan’s Speech)
  • “The captain of the hosts obeyed, The troops with prudent skill arrayed;”
• Rávaṇ assigns his commanders to defend the city gates and takes charge of the north.(Book VI, Canto 36 · Rávan’s Reply)
  • With: Rávaṇ Mahodar Mahápárśva Indrajít Sáraṇ Śuka
  • “He bade the chief Prahasta wait, Commander at the eastern gate, To fierce Mahodar, strong and brave, To keep the southern gate, he gave, Where Mahápárśva’s might should aid The chieftain with his hosts arrayed. To guard the west—no chief more fit— He placed the warrior Indrajít, His son, the giant’s joy and boast, Surrounded by a Rákshas host: And mighty Sáraṇ hastened forth With Śuka to protect the north. ‘I will myself,’ the monarch cried, ‘Be present on the northern side.’”
• Prahasta sallies out after Rávaṇ declares that he or Kumbhakarṇa must go forth.(Book VI, Canto 54 · Vajradanshtra’s Death)
  • With: Rávaṇ
  • “He declares that he himself, Kumbhakarṇa or Prahasta, must go forth. Prahasta sallies out”
• Níla crushes Prahasta with a huge tree.(Book VI, Canto 54 · Vajradanshtra’s Death)
  • With: Níla
  • “Níla with a huge tree crushes his opponent who falls like a tree when its roots are cut.”
• Dhúmráksha, Akampan, Prahasta, and Kumbhakarṇa perished by Ráma’s might.(Book VI, Canto 72 · Rávan’s Speech)
  • With: Dhúmráksha Akampan Kumbhakarṇa Ráma
  • “Where is Dhúmráksha, skilled to wield All weapons in the battle field? Akampan, and Prahasta’s might, And Kumbhakarṇa bold in fight? These, these and many a Rákshas more, Each master of the arms he bore, Who every foe in fight o’erthrew, The victors none could e’er subdue, Have perished by the might of one, The vengeful arm of Raghu’s son.”