Shloka 1.58.19

त्रिशङ्कुशापः — Trishanku’s Curse and Appeal to Viśvāmitra

Devanagari script

अनृतं नोक्तपूर्वं मे न च वक्ष्ये कदाचन।कृच्छ्रेष्वपि गत स्सौम्य क्षत्रधर्मेण ते शपे।।।।

Transliteration

anṛtaṃ noktapūrvaṃ me na ca vakṣye kadācana | kṛcchreṣv api gataḥ saumya kṣatradharmeṇa te śape ||

Translation

O gentle one, I have never spoken untruth before, nor shall I ever speak it—even when pressed by hardship. By the dharma of a kṣatriya, I swear this to you.

Context

O Gentle sage! I have never told a lie in spite of troubled circumstances, I shall never dabble in falsehood. I swear upon it by kshatriya morality .

Characters & Entities

• Triśaṅku
• Viśvāmitra
• kṣatradharma
• satya (truthfulness, implied)

FAQs

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

Satya (truthfulness) is affirmed as a non-negotiable duty, upheld even under distress; it is framed as integral to kṣatriya-dharma.

What is the narrative situation?

While pleading his case, Triśaṅku strengthens his credibility before Viśvāmitra by swearing that he has never lied and will not lie.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Truthfulness (satya) combined with steadfastness under hardship.