Shloka 1.63.12
विश्वामित्रस्य तपोविघ्नः, मेनकाप्रसङ्गः, महर्षिपदप्रदानम् (Visvamitra’s Austerity Obstructed; Menaka Episode; Conferment of Maharshi Status)
विनिश्श्वसन्मुनिवर: पश्चात्तापेन दु:खित:।भीतामप्सरसं दृष्ट्वा वेपन्तीं प्राञ्जलिं स्थिताम्।।।।मेनकां मधुरैर्वाक्यैर्विसृज्य कुशिकात्मज:।उत्तरं पर्वतं राम विश्वामित्रो जगाम ह।।।।
viniśśvasan munivaraḥ paścāttāpena duḥkhitaḥ | bhītām apsarasaṃ dṛṣṭvā vepantīṃ prāñjaliṃ sthitām || menakāṃ madhurair vākyair visṛjya kuśikātmajaḥ | uttaraṃ parvataṃ rāma viśvāmitro jagāma ha ||
O Rāma, the best of sages, sighing and distressed with remorse, saw the frightened apsaras trembling, standing with folded hands. Speaking gently, Kuśika’s son Viśvāmitra dismissed Menakā and went on to the northern mountain.
"O Rama! Viswamitra, the best of ascetics sighed with repentance, distressed with grief. On seeing him, the apsara started trembling in fear. She stood before him with folded palms. (But) with sweet words the son of Kushika left her and proceededtowards the northern mountains.
Dharma is restoration after a fall: remorse (paścāttāpa) should lead to non-harmful closure and renewed discipline, not rage. Gentle dismissal and withdrawal back to tapas shows ethical self-correction.
After being diverted by Menakā, Viśvāmitra feels remorse; Menakā fears his reaction. He speaks kindly, lets her go, and leaves to resume austerities elsewhere.
Viśvāmitra’s virtue is controlled response and recommitment—he chooses restraint and a dharmic reset rather than anger or indulgence.