Shloka 1.63.11

विश्वामित्रस्य तपोविघ्नः, मेनकाप्रसङ्गः, महर्षिपदप्रदानम् (Visvamitra’s Austerity Obstructed; Menaka Episode; Conferment of Maharshi Status)

Devanagari script

अहोरात्रापदेशेन गतास्संवत्सरा दश।काममोहाभिभूतस्य विघ्नोऽयं समुपस्थित:।।।।

Transliteration

aho-rātrāpadēśena gatāḥ saṃvatsarā daśa | kāma-mohābhibhūtasya vighno ’yaṃ samupasthitaḥ ||

Translation

Under the pretext of ‘day and night,’ ten years have passed for me, overpowered by desire and delusion; this obstacle has now come upon my austerity.

Context

Night and day deluded by lust I have wasted ten years. A hindrance has been posed (to my tapas).

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Kāma (desire, as a concept)
• Moha (delusion, as a concept)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes truthful self-assessment: recognizing how kāma and moha waste time and weaken vows, and naming the lapse without excuse is the first step toward restoration.

What is the narrative situation?

Viśvāmitra realizes that a long period has slipped away in distraction, interpreting it as a serious hindrance to his spiritual goal.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The virtue is moral honesty and renewed resolve—admitting error and preparing to re-establish discipline.