Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 59, Shloka 20
विश्वामित्रस्य शरणागति-प्रशंसा तथा वासिष्ठपुत्र-शापः
Visvamitra grants refuge; the curse upon Vasishta’s sons
महोदयस्तु दुर्बुद्धिर्मामदूष्यं ह्यदूषयत्।दूषित स्सर्वलोकेषु निषादत्वं गमिष्यति।।1.59.20।।
mahodayas tu durbuddhir mām adūṣyaṃ hy adūṣayat | dūṣitaḥ sarva-lokeṣu niṣādatvaṃ gamiṣyati || 1.59.20 ||
Mais Mahodaya, à l'esprit pervers, m'a blâmé alors que j'étais irréprochable ; ainsi, marqué dans tous les mondes, il deviendra un Nisada.
The wicked Mahodaya, who blamed a sage like me so faultless shall be re-born in the race of the nishadas vulnerable to abuse by all.
FAQs
False blame and slander violate satya and dharma; the verse portrays reputational and existential consequences arising from unjust accusation.
Viśvāmitra singles out Mahodaya as the chief offender and assigns him a specific consequence within the broader curse.
Truthfulness (satya) and fairness in judgment are emphasized by their violation—Mahodaya’s fault is blaming the blameless.