Shloka 1.55.22

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

Devanagari script

उदीर्यमाणमस्त्रं तद्विश्वामित्रस्य धीमत:।दृष्ट्वा विप्रद्रुतास्सर्वे मुनयश्शतशो दिश:।।1.55.22।।

Transliteration

udīryamāṇam astraṃ tad viśvāmitrasya dhīmataḥ |

dṛṣṭvā vipradrutāḥ sarve munayaḥ śataśo diśaḥ || 1.55.22 ||

Translation

Seeing that weapon being set in motion by the astute Viśvāmitra, all the sages fled—by the hundreds—toward every direction.

Context

On seeing the weapons discharged by the intelligent Viswamitra saints in hundreds fled in all directions.

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• astra (weapon)
• munayaḥ (sages)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes protecting those devoted to spiritual practice; when power is abused, even the righteous are forced into flight—showing the social cost of adharma.

What is the narrative situation?

The sages witness the activation of Viśvāmitra’s astra and scatter in fear.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The sages’ impulse is preservation of life and continued tapas; prudence (prājñatā) in the face of overwhelming violence is highlighted.