Shloka 1.54.19

शबलाहरणम् — The Attempted Seizure of Sabalā (Kāmadhenu) and the Triumph of Brahmic Power

Devanagari script

बलं भग्नं ततो दृष्ट्वा रथेनाक्रम्य कौशिक:।स राजा परमक्रुद्धो रोषविस्फारितेक्षण:।पप्लवान्नाशयामास शस्त्रैरुच्चावचैरपि।।।।

Transliteration

balaṃ bhagnaṃ tato dṛṣṭvā rathena ākramya kauśikaḥ | sa rājā paramakruddho roṣa-visphāritekṣaṇaḥ | paplavān nāśayāmāsa śastrair uccāvacair api ||

Translation

Seeing his army shattered, Kauśika (Viśvāmitra) charged forth upon his chariot. The king, exceedingly enraged, his eyes widened with wrath, destroyed the Paplavas as well, using weapons of many kinds.

Context

Thereafter the king (Viswamitra), having seen his army thus routed, flew into a fury.Wide-eyed with anger, he sat in his chariot and destoyed the Paplavas with various kinds of weapons.

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra (Kauśika)
• Paplavas
• Chariot (ratha)

FAQs

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

Unchecked anger (krodha) drives escalation and blinds judgment; dharma warns that rage-based action deepens conflict rather than restoring order.

What is the narrative situation?

After his army is destroyed, Viśvāmitra personally retaliates from his chariot and kills the manifested Paplavas with varied weapons.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

A negative exemplar: the loss of self-control—anger overpowering discernment.