Shloka 1.59.19

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

Devanagari script

श्वमांसनियताहारा मुष्टिका नाम निर्घृणा:।विकृताश्च विरूपाश्च लोकाननुचरन्त्विमान्।।1.59.19।।

Transliteration

adya te kāla-pāśena nītā vaivasvata-kṣayam | sapta-jāti-śatāny eva mṛta-pāḥ santu sarvaśaḥ || 1.59.18 ||

Translation

Today, seized by the noose of Death, let them be carried to the abode of Vaivasvata (Yama); and for seven hundred births, in every way, let them live as feeders on the dead.

Context

Reborn as the merciless race of mushtikas, feeding on the flesh of dogs, hideous and deformed, they shall wander in these worlds.

Characters & Entities

• Kāla (Death/Time)
• Vaivasvata (Yama)
• Vasiṣṭha’s sons

FAQs

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

Actions and speech generate consequences (karma); the verse also cautions that punitive power, when driven by anger, risks becoming ethically excessive.

What is the narrative situation?

Viśvāmitra utters a curse specifying death and prolonged degraded rebirths for the offenders.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The narrative highlights the fearful efficacy of ascetic speech (vāg-bala), indirectly teaching that such power should be governed by dharma.