Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 19, Shloka 6
विश्वामित्रस्य यज्ञरक्षा-याचना
Visvamitra Requests Rama for Yajna-Protection
अवधूते तथाभूते तस्मिन्नियमनिश्चये।।।।कृतश्रमो निरुत्साहस्तस्माद्देशादपाक्रमे।
avadhūte tathābhūte tasmin niyama-niścaye | kṛtaśramo nirutsāhas tasmād deśād apākrame ||
Als jener feste Entschluss zur strengen Observanz so verworfen und zunichtegemacht war, zog ich mich — vom Mühen ermattet und ohne Eifer — aus jenem Landstrich zurück.
O best among men! for the successful completion of a sacrifice I took up a self-imposed religious observance. Two rakshasas, capable of assuming forms at will, are creating impediments to that sacrifice.
FAQs
The verse shows how dharmic discipline can be externally disrupted, and implies the need for rightful protection so that sacred vows are not rendered futile.
After repeated interference, Viśvāmitra states that his observance was effectively undone, and he left the area exhausted and disheartened.
It emphasizes the ascetic’s endurance and sincerity, even when circumstances force withdrawal rather than retaliation.