Shloka 1.59.14

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

Devanagari script

ब्राह्मणा वा महात्मानो भुक्त्वा चण्डालभोजनम्।कथं स्वर्गं गमिष्यन्ति विश्वामित्रेण पालिता:।।1.59.14।।

Transliteration

kṣatriyo yājako yasya caṇḍālasya viśeṣataḥ | kathaṃ sadasi bhoktāro havis tasya surarṣayaḥ || 1.59.13 ||

Translation

If a kṣatriya serves as the officiating priest—especially for a caṇḍāla—how could the gods and the holy ṛṣis partake of that oblation in the sacrificial assembly?

Context

Joining Viswamitra, (in chanting the mantras during the yaga) how will the great brahmins attain heaven after partaking the food offered by of Chandala?

Characters & Entities

• Kṣatriya
• Caṇḍāla
• Surarṣis (gods and sages)
• Havis (oblation)

FAQs

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

It raises (from the speakers’ perspective) the dharmic concern of ritual eligibility and purity; however, it also warns that dharma-claims can be weaponized through harsh, contemptuous speech.

What is the narrative situation?

Vasiṣṭha’s sons challenge Viśvāmitra’s role in a sacrifice, questioning whether offerings can be accepted when the officiant is a kṣatriya and the patron is labeled a caṇḍāla.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Negatively, it foregrounds the lack of restraint and charity in judgment; positively, it implicitly points to the virtue of fair discernment (viveka) in applying dharma.