Shloka 4.35.7
तारोपदेशः — Tara’s Counsel to Lakshmana (Restraint, Time, and Mobilization)
घृताच्यां किल संसक्तो दशवर्षाणि लक्ष्मण।अहोऽमन्यत धर्मात्मा विश्वामित्रो महामुनिः।।।।
ghṛtācyāṃ kila saṃsaktaḥ daśa-varṣāṇi lakṣmaṇa | aho ’manyata dharmātmā viśvāmitro mahāmuniḥ ||
O Lakṣmaṇa, the great sage Viśvāmitra, though righteous at heart, was once absorbed with the apsaras Ghṛtācī for ten years—yet thought it had been only a single day.
'O Lakshmana! great sage Visvamitra was in union with an apsara Gritachi for ten years and felt it was just one day indeed!
Even the righteous can be clouded by desire; dharma therefore emphasizes vigilance, self-restraint, and awareness of time-bound duties.
To soften Lakṣmaṇa’s anger, Tārā cites a traditional example: Viśvāmitra’s long lapse in sensual attachment, showing how easily time can be lost.
Tārā’s skillful persuasion: she uses precedent to encourage patience and a measured response rather than condemnation.