Shloka 1.64.19

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

Devanagari script

तावद्यावद्धि मे प्राप्तं ब्राह्मण्यं तपसाऽऽर्जितम्।अनुच्छवसन्नभुञ्जान स्तिष्ठेयं शाश्वतीस्समा:।।1.64.19।।न हि मे तप्यमानस्य क्षयं यास्यन्ति मूर्तय:।

Transliteration

tāvad yāvad dhi me prāptaṃ brāhmaṇyaṃ tapasā ’rjitam | anucchvasann abhuñjānaḥ tiṣṭheyaṃ śāśvatīḥ samāḥ || 1.64.19 || na hi me tapyamānasya kṣayaṃ yāsyanti mūrtayaḥ |

Translation

“Until I attain brāhmaṇa-hood earned by austerity, I shall stand for countless years without breathing and without eating; for while I am engaged in penance, my limbs will not waste away.”

Context

Until brahminhood is obtained by my austerities, I shall stay without breathing or eating for innumerable years. While performing penance, my limbs shall not undergo deterioration".

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Rāma
• brāhmaṇya (brahminhood)

FAQs

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

Dharma is steadfast striving toward a higher ethical-spiritual state: the verse frames brāhmaṇya as something earned through truthfulness, restraint, and sustained tapas—not merely by birth or claim.

What is the narrative situation?

Viśvāmitra declares a long-term ascetic program—fasting and breath-restraint—until he achieves brāhmaṇya through austerity.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Perseverance (dhṛti) and unwavering commitment to self-purification after recognizing a moral failure.