Shloka 1.58.13

त्रिशङ्कुशापः — Trishanku’s Curse and Appeal to Viśvāmitra

Devanagari script

विश्वामित्रस्तु तं दृष्ट्वा राजानं विफलीकृतम्।चण्डालरूपिणं राम मुनि: कारुण्यमागत:।।।।

Transliteration

viśvāmitras tu taṃ dṛṣṭvā rājānaṃ viphalīkṛtam |

caṇḍāla-rūpiṇaṃ rāma muniḥ kāruṇyam āgataḥ ||1.58.13||

Translation

But Viśvāmitra, seeing the king brought to misery and reduced to the form of a caṇḍāla, was moved with compassion, O Rāma.

Context

O Rama! on seeing the king reduced to a useless a chandala, sage Viswamitra was touched with pity".

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Triśaṅku
• Chandāla (caṇḍāla)

FAQs

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

Dharma is compassion toward the degraded and suffering; a sage’s righteousness is shown by responding with mercy rather than contempt.

What is the narrative situation?

Triśaṅku reaches Viśvāmitra in a cursed state; Viśvāmitra observes his condition and feels pity.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Kāruṇya (compassion): the capacity to see beyond outward defilement to the person’s suffering.