Shloka 1.55.9
कामधेनुसैन्यप्रादुर्भावः — Kamadhenu’s Forces, Visvamitra’s Austerities, and Vasishta’s Wrath
समुद्र इव निर्वेगो भग्नदंष्ट्र इवोरग:।उपरक्त इवादित्यस्सद्यो निष्प्रभतां गत:।।1.55.9।।
evam ukto vasiṣṭhena viśvāmitro mahābalaḥ |
āgneyam astram utkṣipya tiṣṭha tiṣṭheti cābravīt || 1.56.1 ||
Thus addressed by Vasiṣṭha, the mighty Viśvāmitra lifted up the Agneya-weapon and, as he discharged it, cried, “Stand! Stand!”
Like the ocean without waves or the snake bereft of fangs or the Sun eclipsed by Rahu, suddenly (Viswamitra) looked cheerless and dull.
The verse shows how ego-injury can escalate into destructive action. Dharma teaching here is implicit: when anger governs, even sacred knowledge (astra-vidyā) becomes an instrument of harm rather than protection.
Following humiliation, Viśvāmitra retaliates by invoking a fiery divine weapon, attempting to halt or overpower Vasiṣṭha.
By contrast-through-action, the verse highlights the need for self-control: power without restraint is portrayed as dangerous, even when wielded by a great figure.