Shloka 1.54.4

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

Devanagari script

किं मयाऽपकृतं तस्य महर्षेर्भावितात्मन:।यन्मामनागसं भक्तामिष्टां त्यजति धार्मिक:।।।।

Transliteration

kiṃ mayā 'pakṛtaṃ tasya maharṣer bhāvitātmanaḥ | yan mām anāgasaṃ bhaktām iṣṭāṃ tyajati dhārmikaḥ ||

Translation

“What wrong have I done to that great seer of purified soul, that the righteous one would cast off me—innocent, devoted, and dear?”

Context

What harm have I done to the pious maharshi, a compassionate soul? Why does he forsake me, his auspicious one, despite my innocence and devotion"?

Characters & Entities

• Śabalā
• Vasiṣṭha
• Maharṣi

FAQs

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

A dhārmika person is expected to protect the innocent and devoted; abandonment without cause appears contrary to Dharma, hence Śabalā’s moral question.

What is the narrative situation?

Śabalā searches for a moral reason behind her suffering, assuming Vasiṣṭha’s righteousness and her own blamelessness.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Trust in righteousness (faith that a dhārmika will not forsake without reason) and the virtue of devotion (bhakti/niṣṭhā).