Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 63, Shloka 23

विश्वामित्रस्य तपोविघ्नः, मेनकाप्रसङ्गः, महर्षिपदप्रदानम्

Visvamitra’s Austerity Obstructed; Menaka Episode; Conferment of Maharshi Status

Devanagari script

विप्रस्थितेषु देवेषु विश्वामित्रो महामुनि:।ऊर्ध्वबाहुर्निरालम्बो वायुभक्षस्तपश्चरन्।।।।

Transliteration

viprasthiteṣu deveṣu viśvāmitro mahāmuniḥ | ūrdhvabāhur nirālambō vāyubhakṣas tapaścaran ||

Translation

فلما انصرف الآلهة، واصل فيشفاميترا، الحكيم العظيم، نسكه: رافعًا ذراعيه، بلا سند، مقتاتًا على الهواء وحده، مجاهدًا في التَّقشّف.

Word by Word

• विप्रस्थितेषु: after (they) had departed
• विप्रस्थितेषु: अधिकरण (Locative absolute component)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + प्र + स्थि (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (Past participle) बहुवचन-सप्तमी (Locative plural), पुंलिङ्ग; 'when (they) had departed'

• देवेषु: when the gods
• देवेषु: अधिकरण (Locative absolute)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Loc/7th), बहुवचन; सप्तमी-सम्बन्ध: locative absolute with 'विप्रस्थितेषु'

• विश्वामित्रः: Viśvāmitra
• विश्वामित्रः: कर्ता (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्वामित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• महामुनिः: the great sage
• महामुनिः: कर्ता-अपपद (Apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महामुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• ऊर्ध्वबाहुः: with arms raised
• ऊर्ध्वबाहुः: कर्ता-विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ऊर्ध्व + बाहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि: 'ऊर्ध्वौ बाहू यस्य सः'

• निरालम्बः: without support
• निरालम्बः: कर्ता-विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर् + आलम्ब (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• वायुभक्षः: subsisting on air
• वायुभक्षः: कर्ता-विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वायु + भक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: 'वायुः भक्ष्यः यस्य' (air as food)

• तपःचरन्: practising austerity
• तपःचरन्: कर्ता-विशेषण (Participial)
• Type: Verb
• Root: तपस् + चर् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त (Present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'performing austerity'

Context

After the departure of the gods, mighty ascetic Viswamitra raised his arms up, stood without support, subsisting on air, continuing with his austerities.

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Devas

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma upholds steadfast effort: when advised to continue, one should persist with discipline rather than seek quick validation.

What is the narrative situation?

Following Brahmā’s departure, Viśvāmitra intensifies and continues his ascetic practice.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Perseverance and extreme self-restraint in pursuit of higher spiritual truth.