Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 53, Shloka 10
शबलाप्रार्थना–वसिष्ठप्रतिज्ञा
The Request for Śabalā and Vasiṣṭha’s Refusal
एवमुक्तस्तु भगवान्वसिष्ठो मुनिसत्तम:।विश्वामित्रेण धर्मात्मा प्रत्युवाच महीपतिम्।।1.53.10।।
evam uktas tu bhagavān vasiṣṭho munisattamaḥ | viśvāmitreṇa dharmātmā pratyuvāca mahīpatim ||
Lorsque Viśvāmitra eut parlé ainsi, le vénérable Vasiṣṭha, le plus éminent des sages et établi dans le dharma, répondit au roi.
Addressed the by Viswamitra venerable and righteous Vasishta who was of the earth ascetic replied:
FAQs
Dharma as moral authority: Vasiṣṭha’s reply is framed as dharmic counsel, implying that power and possession must be governed by righteousness, not coercion.
After Viśvāmitra’s demand regarding Śabalā, Vasiṣṭha prepares to respond, marking the escalation of their dispute.
Vasiṣṭha’s steadiness in dharma—measured response and principled speech in the face of pressure.