Shloka 1.21.12
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 ||
Neither devas nor any rishis, neither asuras nor rākṣasas—nor gandharvas, nor the foremost yakṣas, nor kinnaras, nor great serpents—can match that knowledge.
No gods nor sages nor asuras in rakshasas nor kinnaras nor mighty serpents norgandharvas nor the best of yakshas (will be able to know);
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.