Valmiki Ramayana 1.21.12: Bala Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 12
बालकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः
Daśaratha’s Promise, Vasiṣṭha’s Counsel, and Viśvāmitra’s Weapon-Lore
न देवा नर्षय: केचिन्नासुरा न च राक्षसा:।गन्धर्वयक्षप्रवरास्सकिन्नरमहोरगा:।।।।
na devā na ṛṣayaḥ kecin nāsurā na ca rākṣasāḥ | gandharva-yakṣa-pravarāḥ sa-kinnara-mahāragāḥ ||
Weder Devas noch irgendwelche Rishis, weder Asuras noch Rākṣasas—weder Gandharvas noch die erhabensten Yakṣas, weder Kinnaras noch die großen Schlangen—vermögen jenes Wissen zu erreichen.
No gods nor sages nor asuras in rakshasas nor kinnaras nor mighty serpents norgandharvas nor the best of yakshas (will be able to know);
FAQs
Dharma recognizes true excellence regardless of rank: even celestial beings are not automatically superior to a sage perfected by tapas and truth.
A sweeping list of cosmic beings is invoked to stress that Viśvāmitra’s expertise is unrivaled.
Spiritual attainment—steadfast austerity and truth that elevate a human sage beyond ordinary hierarchies.
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