Shloka 1.59.1

विश्वामित्रस्य शरणागति-प्रशंसा तथा वासिष्ठपुत्र-शापः (Visvamitra grants refuge; the curse upon Vasishta’s sons)

Devanagari script

उक्तवाक्यं तु राजानं कृपया कुशिकात्मज:।अब्रवीन्मधुरं वाक्यं साक्षाच्चण्डालरूपिणम्।।1.59.1।।

Transliteration

uktavākyaṃ tu rājānaṃ kṛpayā kuśikātmajaḥ |

abravīn madhuraṃ vākyaṃ sākṣāc caṇḍālarūpiṇam ||

Translation

Then Kuśika’s son, Viśvāmitra, moved by compassion, spoke gentle, sweet words to the king, whose caṇḍāla form now stood plainly before all eyes.

Context

What the king said was proved by his chandala form which the son of Kushika (Viswamitra) heard and out of compassion spoke these sweet words:

Characters & Entities

• Kuśika
• Viśvāmitra
• king (Triśaṅku)
• caṇḍāla

FAQs

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

Dharma includes compassion toward the fallen; even when consequences are visible, a sage may respond with kṛpā rather than contempt.

What is the narrative situation?

After the curse has transformed the king, Viśvāmitra encounters him and prepares to respond kindly.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Kṛpā (compassion) and gentle speech as a dhārmic response to suffering.