Prahasta Places Peace First and Battle Only After Its Refusal
Lanka Kanda, Doha 9
Doha 9 · Movement 2 of 2
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Prahasta's counsel does not arise from fear of combat. It gives force its proper place behind the possibility of justice. Return the woman who was taken and allow Rama's army to depart with her.
If they receive Sita and withdraw, do not enlarge the quarrel. The honor of Lanka need not demand war after the cause of war has been removed. Restraint may preserve more glory than a field covered in the dead.
If peace is rejected even after restoration, then meet the enemy face to face and fight with full determination. Prahasta asks Ravana to choose battle only when dharma and necessity leave no lesser path. The sequence is clear: restitution, peace, then force as the final answer, never pride disguised as courage.
The warrior's counsel keeps the sword sheathed until justice has been offered every road.
Read the passage from the Manas
नारि पाइ फिरि जाहिं जौं तौ न बढ़ाइअ रारि। नाहिं त सन्मुख समर महि तात करिअ हठि मारि।।9।।
If they take back the woman and leave, do not escalate the conflict. But if not, then face them on the battlefield and fight them with all your might.