Shloka 1.52.1

वसिष्ठ-आतिथ्यं (Vasiṣṭha’s Hospitality to Viśvāmitra and the Summoning of Śabalā/Kāmadhenu)

Devanagari script

स दृष्ट्वा परमप्रीतो विश्वामित्रो महाबल:।प्रणतो विनयाद्वीरो वसिष्ठं जपतां वरम्।।।।

Transliteration

sa dṛṣṭvā paramaprīto viśvāmitro mahābalaḥ | praṇato vinayād vīro vasiṣṭhaṃ japatāṃ varam ||

Translation

Seeing Vasiṣṭha—the foremost among those devoted to sacred recitation—the mighty and heroic Viśvāmitra became exceedingly pleased and, out of reverence, bowed down in salutation.

Context

Overwhelmed with joy the mighty, heroic Viswamitra upon seeing Vasishta, the greatest among ascetics, was and offered respectful salutations.

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Vasiṣṭha

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as honouring spiritual excellence: even the powerful must bow to genuine tapas and sacred learning.

What is the narrative situation?

Viśvāmitra encounters Vasiṣṭha and greets him with visible joy and formal obeisance, establishing the social-religious protocol before dialogue unfolds.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vinaya (humility) paired with recognition of spiritual authority.