Puranic encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222
This page describes the Story of Prahasta included the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani that was translated into English in 1975. The Puranas have for centuries profoundly influenced Indian life and Culture and are defined by their characteristic features (panca-lakshana, literally, ‘the five characteristics of a Purana’).
Story of Prahasta
A minister of Rāvaṇa.
Genealogy.
Descending in order from Viṣṇu—Brahmā—Heti—Vidyutkeśa—Sukeśa—Sumālī—Prahasta.
The demon Sukesa got of his wife Devavatī three sons named Mālyavān, Sumālī and Mālī. Of these Sumālī got of his wife Ketumatī ten sons named Prahasta, Akampana, Vikaṭa, Kālakāmukha, Dhūmrākṣa, Daṇḍa, Supārśva, Saṃhrāda, Prakvāta and Bhāsakarṇa and four daughters named Vekā, Puṣpotkaṭā, Kaikasi and Kumbhīnasī. Most of the sons were the ministers of Rāvaṇa.
Other details.
(i) Prahasta was the chief minister of Rāvaṇa. (Uttara Rāmāyaṇa).
(ii) In the Rāma-Rāvaṇa battle Prahasta fought against Vibhīṣaṇa and was killed by the latter. (Śloka 4, Chapter 286, Vana Parva).