Shloka 1.64.1

रम्भा-प्रलोभनम् — Rambhā’s Temptation and Viśvāmitra’s Curse

Devanagari script

सुरकार्यमिदं रम्भे कर्तव्यं सुमहत्त्वया।लोभनं कौशिकस्येह काममोहसमन्वितम्।।1.64.1।।

Transliteration

surakāryam idaṃ rambhe kartavyaṃ sumahat tvayā | lobhanaṃ kauśikasyeha kāmamohasamanvitam ||

Translation

“O Rambhā, this is a work for the gods, and you must carry it out, weighty though it is: here you are to entice Kauśika, drawing him into delusion through desire.”

Context

"O Rambha! you must entice Viswamitra by lust and passion. This important workmust be done by you in the interest of the gods".

Characters & Entities

• Rambhā
• Surāḥ (gods)
• Kauśika (Viśvāmitra)
• Kāma
• Moha

FAQs

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

The verse highlights an ethical conflict: using desire as a tool to sabotage another’s spiritual pursuit contradicts dharmic ideals of fairness and truthfulness (satya), even when framed as ‘divine work’.

What is the narrative situation?

Indra assigns Rambhā the specific mission of tempting Viśvāmitra to break or weaken his austerities.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast, it emphasizes the virtue required of the ascetic—steadfast self-control—because external forces actively attempt to generate kāma and moha.