Shloka 1.56.13
बालकाण्ड ५६: विश्वामित्र–वसिष्ठ अस्त्रसंघर्षः (Visvamitra and Vasistha: Contest of Divine Weapons)
तानि सर्वाणि दण्डेन ग्रसते ब्रह्मणस्सुत:।।।।तेषु शान्तेषु ब्रह्मास्त्रं क्षिप्तवान् गाधिनन्दन:।
triśūlam astraṃ ghoraṃ ca kāpālam atha kaṅkaṇam | etāny astrāṇi cikṣepa sarvāṇi raghunandana || 1.56.12 || vasiṣṭhe japatāṃ śreṣṭhe tad adbhutam ivābhavat |
He discharged the dreadful Triśūla-weapon, and then the Kāpāla and the Kaṅkaṇa as well. All these weapons he released, O joy of the Raghu line, against Vasiṣṭha—the foremost among those devoted to sacred recitation; and it seemed a marvel.
Vasishta son of Brahma, swallowed all those weapons with his staff. When those weapons were humbled, son of Gadhi employed Brahmastra.
The verse contrasts external might (weaponry) with inner discipline (japa). It implies that dharma is strengthened by spiritual practice and integrity, not merely by destructive capability.
Viśvāmitra continues to unleash named astras; the narration pauses to underline Vasiṣṭha’s stature as a supreme practitioner of japa, heightening the dramatic contrast.
Vasiṣṭha’s tapas and steadiness in sacred recitation are emphasized—spiritual composure amid aggression.