Shloka 1.57.1
विश्वामित्रस्य दक्षिणतपः तथा त्रिशङ्कोः स्वशरीरेण स्वर्गगमनाभिलाषः (Visvamitra’s Southern Austerity and Trisanku’s Bodily Ascent Aspiration)
ततस्सन्तप्तहृदय: स्मरन्निग्रहमात्मन:। विनिश्श्वस्य विनिश्श्वस्य कृतवैरो महत्मना।।1.57.1।।स दक्षिणां दिशं गत्वा महिष्या सह राघव ।तताप परमं घोरं विश्वामित्रो महत्तप:।।1.57.2।। फलमूलाशनो दान्तश्चकार सुमहत्तप:।
tatas santaptahṛdayaḥ smaran nigraham ātmanaḥ |
viniśśvasya viniśśvasya kṛtavairo mahātmanā || 1.57.1 ||
Thereafter, his heart aflame as he recalled his own humiliation, and sighing again and again, Viśvāmitra—having conceived enmity toward the great-souled Vasiṣṭha—turned away to pursue austerity.
"O Descendant of Raghu (Rama)! having created enmity between himself and the magnanimous Vasishta, Viswamitra recollecting the disgrace and repeatedly sighing with a distressed heart went with his eldest wife towards southern quarter to perform rigorous penance. Subsisting on fruits and roots and his senses underfull control he performed the most rigid austerities.
Dharma recognizes that unresolved anger and wounded pride can drive harmful conflict; the corrective path is inner discipline—transforming emotion through tapas rather than perpetuating hostility.
After failing in the confrontation with Vasiṣṭha, Viśvāmitra is shaken and ashamed; he withdraws to undertake austerities.
The verse points to the capacity for self-transformation: even when distressed, a person can redirect life toward disciplined practice.