Shloka 1.56.23

बालकाण्ड ५६: विश्वामित्र–वसिष्ठ अस्त्रसंघर्षः (Visvamitra and Vasistha: Contest of Divine Weapons)

Devanagari script

धिग्बलं क्षत्रियबलं ब्रह्मतेजो बलं बलम्।एकेन ब्रह्मदण्डेन सर्वास्त्राणि हतानि मे।।।।

Transliteration

vāruṇaṃ caiva raudraṃ ca aindraṃ pāśupataṃ tathā |

aiṣīkaṃ cāpi cikṣepa kupito gādhinandanaḥ ||

Translation

Enraged, Gādhi’s son hurled the Vāruṇa, Raudra, Aindra, Pāśupata, and also the Aiṣīka weapons.

Context

Shame! Where is the might of a kshatriya? The energy of a brahmin is the real energy. The staff of Brahma has singly destroyed all my weapons".

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Gādhi
• Vāruṇāstra
• Raudrāstra
• Aindrāstra
• Pāśupatāstra
• Aiṣīkāstra
• Varuṇa
• Rudra
• Indra

FAQs

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

Anger multiplies harm and clouds judgement; Dharma warns that krodha drives one to excess and escalation.

What is the narrative situation?

After one weapon is neutralized, Viśvāmitra escalates by deploying multiple divine weapons.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast (implicitly), the needed virtue is self-control; Viśvāmitra’s lack of restraint is highlighted.