Prahasta Joins His Hands and Breaks the Chorus of Flattery
Lanka Kanda, Doha 8
Doha 8 · Movement 2 of 2
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Every minister has spoken, and each voice has returned Ravana's confidence to him polished and enlarged. The enemy is weak, the city secure, and the forest army nothing more than food.
Prahasta rises within that pleasing chorus. He does not shout against the king or claim a place above the council. He joins his hands, addresses Ravana as lord, and asks him not to act in violation of sound policy.
These ministers possess little understanding, he says. The sentence places truth where praise had occupied every seat. Before any arrow reaches Lanka, a quieter battle begins inside the hall between counsel that protects the ruler and speech that protects the speaker. Prahasta risks Ravana's anger so the kingdom may hear one unsoftened judgment.
With folded hands, one honest voice becomes more dangerous in Ravana's court than an army at the gate.
Read the passage from the Manas
सब के बचन श्रवन सुनि कह प्रहस्त कर जोरि। निति बिरोध न करिअ प्रभु मत्रिंन्ह मति अति थोरि।।8।।
Hearing everyone's words, Prahasta spoke with folded hands: 'O Lord, act not against wise policy. These ministers have very little sense.'