Shloka 1.53.25

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

Devanagari script

अदोमूला: क्रियास्सर्वा मम राजन्न संशय:।बहुना किं प्रलापेन न दास्ये कामदोहिनीम्।।1.53.25।।

Transliteration

adomūlāḥ kriyāḥ sarvā mama rājann asaṁśayaḥ | bahunā kiṁ pralāpena na dāsye kāmadohinīm || 1.53.25 ||

Translation

O King, all my rites are rooted in her—without any doubt. What is the use of so much talk? I will not give away the wish-fulfilling cow.

Context

O King! this (cow) is undoubtedly the source of all my actions. Why these uselesswords? I will never give this wish-fulfilling cow".ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē bālakāṇḍē tripañcāśassarga:৷৷Thus ends the fiftythird sarga of Balakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Śabalā
• Kāmadhenū / wish-fulfilling cow (kāmadohinī)

FAQs

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

Integrity in dharma: when a possession is essential for one’s righteous duties and truthfully acknowledged as such, it must not be surrendered to pressure, persuasion, or wealth.

What is the narrative situation?

Vasiṣṭha ends the negotiation decisively, stating that Śabalā is foundational to all his sacred activities and is therefore non-transferable.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfastness (dhṛti) and satya: firm refusal grounded in duty rather than fear or greed.