Shloka 1.55.21

कामधेनुसैन्यप्रादुर्भावः — Kamadhenu’s Forces, Visvamitra’s Austerities, and Vasishta’s Wrath

Devanagari script

ततो गत्वाऽऽश्रमपदं मुमोचास्त्राणि पार्थिव:।यैस्तत्तपोवनं सर्वं निर्दग्धं चास्त्रतेजसा।।1.55.21।।

Transliteration

tato gatvāśramapadaṃ mumocāstrāṇi pārthivaḥ |

yais tat tapovanaṃ sarvaṃ nirdagdhaṃ cāstratejasā || 1.55.21 ||

Translation

Then the king went to the hermitage-ground and loosed the weapons—by whose fiery force the entire ascetics’ forest was burned.

Context

Thereafter king Viswamitra having proceeded towards the hermitage (of Vasishta) and released the weapons by the energy of which the entire forest of the ascetics was burnt down.

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Vasiṣṭha’s āśrama
• astrāṇi
• tapovana

FAQs

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

Sacred spaces and communities devoted to tapas are to be protected; attacking an āśrama is a grave dharmic violation, showing how adharma begins with disrespect for the innocent.

What is the narrative situation?

Viśvāmitra physically advances to Vasiṣṭha’s hermitage and discharges astras, causing widespread destruction.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The narrative underscores the virtue of non-harm (ahiṃsā) and protection of the vulnerable—virtues that are being violated here.