Prahasta

In the Hindu epic the Ramayana, Prahasta (Sanskrit: प्रहस्त, IAST: prahasta, lit. he who has extended hands) was a powerful rakshasa warrior, chief commander of Ravana's army of Lanka. In his next birth Prahastha was reborn as Purochana in the Mahabharata as Duryodhana's trusted aide and who was responsible for the Lakshagraha incident.

Prahasta
Ramayana character
In-universe information
Relativesfather: Sumali,

mother: Ketumati,

sister: Kaikesi

Legend

Prahastha leads Ravana's army in the wars against Yama, Kubera and the Devas, and the Asuras and Daityas, through which Ravana establishes his sovereignty over the three worlds. He also leads the initial Lankan response to the invasion led by Rama, Lakshmana, Sugriva and the Vanara army.

Prahastha was not only the commander-in-chief, he was also the brother of Kaikesi,thus making him Ravana’s maternal uncle.

Prahastha killed several important warriors of Sugriva's army and was actually proving to be a real threat to the army of Rama. As per one version of Ramayana, Prahastha was killed by laxman. And in another version, Nila hurled a rock at Prahastha that broke his neck and killed him. (Valmiki Ramayana, book 6, canto 58, verses 53,54)[1]

Further reading

References
  1. Rao, Desiraju Hanumanta. "Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - Sarga 58". www.valmikiramayan.net. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
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