Shloka 1.53.11

शबलाप्रार्थना–वसिष्ठप्रतिज्ञा (The Request for Śabalā and Vasiṣṭha’s Refusal)

Devanagari script

नाहं शतसहस्रेण नापि कोटिशतैर्गवाम्।राजन् दास्यामि शबलां राशिभी रजतस्य च ।।1.53.11।।

Transliteration

nāhaṃ śatasahasreṇa nāpi koṭiśatair gavām | rājan dāsyāmi śabalāṃ rāśibhir rajatasya ca ||

Translation

O King, I will not give up Śabalā—not for hundreds of thousands of cows, nor even for hundreds of crores of cows, nor for heaps of silver.

Context

"O King! I shall not exchange Sabala for a hundred thousand for even or a hundred crore cows or heaps of silver.

Characters & Entities

• Vasiṣṭha
• Viśvāmitra
• Śabalā

FAQs

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

Some values are not purchasable: sacred trust and dharmic responsibility cannot be exchanged for wealth, even immense wealth.

What is the narrative situation?

Viśvāmitra attempts to obtain Śabalā by offering vast material compensation; Vasiṣṭha rejects the offer outright.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Integrity and satya: Vasiṣṭha stands firm, refusing to reduce a sacred boon to a market transaction.