Shloka 1.60.1

त्रिशङ्कुस्वर्गारोহণम् — Trishanku’s Bodily Ascent and the New Constellations

Devanagari script

तपोबलहतान् कृत्वा वासिष्ठान् समहोदयान्।ऋषिमध्ये महातेजा विश्वामित्रोऽभ्यभाषत।।।।

Transliteration

tapobalahatān kṛtvā vāsiṣṭhān samahodayān |

ṛṣimadhye mahātejā viśvāmitro ’bhyabhāṣat ||1.60.1||

Translation

Having struck down the sons of Vasiṣṭha—together with Mahodaya—by the power of his tapas, the radiant Viśvāmitra spoke in the midst of the rishis.

Context

The most brilliant Viswamitra, having destroyed the sons of Vasishta including Mahodaya by his ascetic power, said this in the midst of saints:

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Vasiṣṭha (via ‘Vāsiṣṭhāḥ’)
• Mahodaya
• Ṛṣis (sages)

FAQs

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

The verse raises the ethical tension between tapas (spiritual power) and restraint: power gained through austerity still demands dharmic self-governance.

What is the narrative situation?

After a violent outcome involving Vasiṣṭha’s sons, Viśvāmitra is introduced as addressing the sages, moving the episode forward into speech and judgment.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Tapobalam (ascetic potency) is foregrounded—though implicitly it invites reflection on whether such power is being used with dharmic restraint.