Prahasta
Prahasta is the chief minister at the court of Rāvaṇa in Laṅkā. After the king and his brothers, he is the highest rākshasa official. He has a part in the Sundara Kāṇḍa of the Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. He is the minister who questions Hanumān after Hanumān is captured. His palace is among the first to burn when Hanumān sets Laṅkā on fire. His son Jambumāli was sent against Hanumān and was killed.
Role in the court
As chief minister, Prahasta took part in the main business of Rāvaṇa’s court. He spoke with the voice of authority in the assembly. Hanumān was brought before Rāvaṇa, bound by the Brahmāstra (a divine weapon). Prahasta then questioned him formally. He asked Hanumān who he was, by whose order he had come, and what had brought him to Laṅkā.
His son Jambumāli
Prahasta’s son Jambumāli was one of the warriors sent against Hanumān when Hanumān wrecked the Pramadā Vana. Jambumāli was a skilled bowman. He fought Hanumān in the sky and struck him with effective blows before he was killed.
The burning of his palace
Hanumān set Laṅkā on fire. He began with the mansion of Prahasta. The chief minister’s palace was the first building he burned. After that he went on to the palaces of the other great rākshasa lords.
Sources
- Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Sundara Kāṇḍa, Chapter 44
- Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Sundara Kāṇḍa, Chapters 50–51
- Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Sundara Kāṇḍa, Chapter 54