Valmiki Ramayana 1.32.20: Bala Kanda, Sarga 32, Shloka 20
कुशवंशवर्णनम् · The Line of Kuśa and the Disfigurement of Kuśanābha’s Daughters by Vāyu
कुशनाभसुतास्सर्वा: समर्थास्त्वां सुरोत्तम।स्थानाच्च्यावयितुं देवं रक्षामस्तु तपो वयम्।।।।
kuśanābhasutāḥ sarvāḥ samarthās tvāṃ surottama |
sthānāc cyāvayituṃ devaṃ rakṣāmas tu tapo vayam || 1.32.20 ||
देवता, हम सब कुशनाभ की बेटियाँ हैं। हम में इतनी ताकत है कि किसी देवता को भी उसकी जगह से हटा दें। पर हम अपनी तपस्या बचा के रखते हैं, इसलिए कुछ नहीं करती।
O wicked one, do not dishonour our father who always speaks the truth. He will choose the bridegrooms righteously. Do not invite death (father may be the cause of your death).
FAQs
Dharma includes self-restraint: even when one has the power to retaliate (through tapas), one may choose restraint to protect spiritual merit and uphold rightful conduct.
The maidens warn Vāyu that they possess the ascetic potency to punish, but they refrain in order to preserve their vow and merit.
Kṣamā and saṃyama (forbearance and restraint) grounded in tapas—power governed by principle.
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