Shloka 1.58.3

त्रिशङ्कुशापः — Trishanku’s Curse and Appeal to Viśvāmitra

Devanagari script

इक्ष्वाकूणां हि सर्वेषां पुरोधा: परमो गुरु:।न चातिक्रमितुं शक्यं वचनं सत्यवादिन:।।।।

Transliteration

ikṣvākūṇāṃ hi sarveṣāṃ purodhāḥ paramo guruḥ |

na cātikramituṃ śakyaṃ vacanaṃ satyavādinaḥ ||

Translation

For all the kings of the Ikṣvāku line, the royal priest is the highest guru; and the word of one who speaks truth cannot be transgressed.

Context

For all the kings of the Ikshvakus race, their chief priest is their Guru. It is not possibleto bypass the spiritual preceptor who is true to his word preceptor.

Characters & Entities

• Ikṣvāku dynasty
• purodhā (royal priest)
• satyavādin (truth-speaker)

FAQs

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

Dharma here is reverence for the legitimate guru (purohita) and honoring satya: a truth-speaking teacher’s word is binding and should not be violated for convenience or desire.

What is the narrative situation?

The king seeks a ritual outcome against established limits; Vasiṣṭha’s sons respond that the Ikṣvāku kings are governed by their priest’s authority and the truth-bound word cannot be bypassed.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Satya (truthfulness) and guru-niṣṭhā (steadfastness to the guru’s authority) are presented as higher than royal insistence.