Shloka 2.117.12

अत्र्याश्रमगमनम् तथा अनसूयोपदेशः (Arrival at Atri’s Hermitage and Anasuya’s Counsel)

Devanagari script

दश वर्षाण्यनावृष्ट्या दग्धे लोके निरन्तरम्।।2.117.9।।यया मूलफले सृष्टे जाह्नवी च प्रवर्तिता।उग्रेण तपसा युक्ता नियमैश्चाप्यलङ्कृता।।2.117.10।।दश वर्ष सहास्राणि तया तप्तं महत्तपः।अनसूया व्रतै स्स्नाता प्रत्यूहाश्च निवर्तिताः।।2.117.11।।देवकार्यनिमित्तं च यया सन्त्वरमाणया।दशरात्रं कृता रात्रि स्सेयं मातेव तेऽनघ।।2.117.12।।

Transliteration

daśa-varṣa-sahasrāṇi tayā taptaṃ mahat tapaḥ |

anasūyā vrataiḥ snātā pratyūhāś ca nivartitāḥ ||

Translation

For ten thousand years she practised a great and severe austerity. Anasūyā, purified by her vows, also turned back obstacles that arose.

Context

O blameless one (Rama), once this world was consecutively ravaged by drought for ten years. It was the virtuous Anasuya who created roots and fruits and caused Ganga to flow. She was engaged in severe mortifications and selfimposed religious observances. She practised severe asceticism for ten thousand years bathed in her vows. Solicited on behalf of the gods, she removed all impediments and converted ten nights into one. She is like a your mother to you.

Characters & Entities

• Anasūyā
• tapas (austerity)
• vrata (vows)

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as steadfast self-discipline: vows (vrata) and austerity (tapas) purify intention and give the strength to overcome impediments without abandoning righteous conduct.

What is the narrative situation?

At Atri’s hermitage, Anasūyā is being praised for her extraordinary ascetic achievements, establishing her authority as a spiritual guide—especially for Sītā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Anasūyā’s perseverance and purity: long endurance in tapas, and the capacity to remove obstacles through disciplined righteousness.