Shloka 1.53.9

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

Devanagari script

गवां शतसहस्रेण दीयतां शबला मम।रत्नं हि भगवन्नेतद्रत्नहारी च प्रार्थिव:।।1.53.9।।तस्मान्मे शबलां देहि ममैषा धर्मतो द्विज।

Transliteration

gavāṃ śatasahasreṇa dīyatāṃ śabalā mama |

ratnaṃ hi bhagavann etad ratnahārī ca prārthivaḥ || 1.53.9 ||

tasmān me śabalāṃ dehi mamaiṣā dharmato dvija |

Translation

Let Śabalā be given to me in exchange for a hundred thousand cows. For, venerable sir, she is a jewel, and a king is a seeker of jewels. Therefore, O twice-born one, give me Śabalā—for by the law of dharma she belongs to me.

Context

"I shall give you a hundred thousand cows in exchange for Sabala. O! Respectable one! this cow is a gem. A king (along) has a right on jewels, O Brahmin, for that reason, Sabala rightfully belongs to me. Therefore, give this cow".

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Vasiṣṭha
• Śabalā

FAQs

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

It raises a dharma-conflict: royal power and desire versus rightful ownership and the limits of kingship over a brahmin’s sacred property.

What is the narrative situation?

Viśvāmitra offers an exchange and argues that Śabalā, as a ‘jewel,’ should belong to a king.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Not virtue but a tested trait: ambition and entitlement, presented under the language of dharma—showing how ‘dharma-claims’ can be misused.