Shloka 1.52.7

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

Devanagari script

कच्चित्ते कुशलं राजन् कच्चिद्धर्मेण रञ्जयन्।प्रजा: पालयसे वीर राजवृत्तेन धार्मिक।।।।

Transliteration

bāḍham ity eva gādheyo vasiṣṭhaṃ pratyuvāca ha | yathā priyaṃ bhagavatas tathāstu munipuṅgava ||

Translation

Then Gādhī’s son replied to Vasiṣṭha: “So be it. O foremost of sages, let it be done exactly as is pleasing to you, venerable one.”

Context

"O King, is it all well with you? O righteous one! O heroic one! are you ruling (your subjects) in accordance with the duties enjoined upon the king? Do you rule them in conformity with the code of moralit in order to make them happy.

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Vasiṣṭha
• Gādhī

FAQs

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

Dharma as deference in righteous discourse: even when strong-willed, one honours the other’s standing and agrees to proceed in a manner that preserves harmony.

What is the narrative situation?

Viśvāmitra responds to Vasiṣṭha’s words with formal assent, signaling cooperation before the story progresses to their deeper conflict.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Saṃyama and śiṣṭācāra—controlled speech and cultured courtesy.