Shloka 1.58.15

त्रिशङ्कुशापः — Trishanku’s Curse and Appeal to Viśvāmitra

Devanagari script

किमागमनकार्यं ते राजपुत्र महाबल।अयोध्याधिपते वीर शापाच्चण्डालतां गत:।।।।

Transliteration

kim āgamana-kāryaṃ te rāja-putra mahābala |

ayodhyādhipate vīra śāpāc caṇḍālatāṃ gataḥ ||1.58.15||

Translation

“For what purpose have you come, O mighty prince—O heroic lord of Ayodhyā—now that, by a curse, you have fallen into the state of a caṇḍāla?”

Context

"O Mighty prince! what brings your here, for you are the heroic lord of Ayodhya? Whose curse turned you into a chandala"?

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Triśaṅku
• Ayodhyā
• Curse (śāpa)
• Chandāla (caṇḍāla)

FAQs

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

Dharma requires truthful inquiry before action: Viśvāmitra compassionately asks the facts—why he came and how the curse occurred—so help can be given wisely.

What is the narrative situation?

After greeting him, Viśvāmitra asks Triśaṅku to explain the reason for his arrival and the curse that caused his chandāla condition.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudence joined with compassion: he honors Triśaṅku’s royal identity while directly acknowledging the reality of the curse.