Shloka 1.9.15

ऋश्यशृङ्गानयनकथा — The Account of Bringing Ṛśyaśṛṅga (and the Remedy for Drought)

Devanagari script

ते तु राज्ञो वचश्श्रुशृत्वा व्यथिता विनतानना:।न गच्छेम ऋषेर्भीता अनुनेष्यन्ति तं नृपम् ।। ।।

Transliteration

te tu rājño vacaḥ śruśṛtvā vyathitā vinatānanāḥ | na gacchema ṛṣer bhītā anuneṣyanti taṃ nṛpam ||

Translation

But hearing the king’s command, they became distressed, their faces cast down. Afraid of the sage, they pleaded with the king: “We will not go.”

Context

On hearing the king's words, distressed and frightened by rishi's power, they appealed to the king, faces bent down, 'We will not go'.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• purohita (implied)
• amātyas (implied)
• Ṛśyaśṛṅga (as the feared sage, implied by context)

FAQs

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

Dharma acknowledges the moral power of tapas: fear here reflects reverence for ascetic potency and the danger of approaching a sage improperly.

What is the narrative situation?

Those tasked with the mission hesitate and request relief, fearing the consequences of dealing with a formidable ascetic.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Caution born of respect: they recognize limits and potential fault if the approach is wrong.