Valmiki Ramayana 1.63.19: Bala Kanda, Sarga 63, Shloka 19
विश्वामित्रस्य तपोविघ्नः, मेनकाप्रसङ्गः, महर्षिपदप्रदानम्
Visvamitra’s Austerity Obstructed; Menaka Episode; Conferment of Maharshi Status
ब्रह्मणस्स वचश्श्रुत्वा सर्वलोकेश्वरस्य ह ।
न विषण्णो न सन्तुष्टो विश्वामित्रस्तपोधनः ॥१९॥
brahmaṇas sa vacaḥ śrutvā sarvalokeśvarasya ha |
na viṣaṇṇo na santuṣṭo viśvāmitras tapodhanaḥ ||19||
ब्रह्मा की बात सुन के विश्वामित्र न दुखी हुआ न खुश। ब्रह्मा तो सारी दुनिया का मालिक है, फिर भी उसके मन में शांति नहीं आई।
Sandhi Notes
- ब्रह्मणः + सः → ब्रह्मणस्स (visarga→s before s)
- वचः + श्रुत्वा → वचः श्रुत्वा
- विश्वामित्रः + तपोधनः → विश्वामित्रस्तपोधनः (visarga→s before t)
Having heard the words Brahman, the lord of all the worlds, Viswamitra whose wealth was his asceticism was neither dejected nor delighted.
The teaching
Do not be intoxicated by recognition; remain steady until the intended spiritual goal is fulfilled.
Duties in tension
- Contentment with attained honor vs. commitment to a higher vowed goal
- Accepting divine praise vs. maintaining non-attachment
- Ethical theme
- Vairāgya and perseverance
- How it resolves
- Continued striving with equanimity
For your practice
Models sādhaka’s non-reactivity to praise/blame; supports practice of upekṣā and sustained tapas.
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Shanta (peace), with Adbhuta (wonder)
- Mood
- Restrained, unsated, steadfast
Themes
- Dharma
- Satya
- Self-mastery
- Detachment
- Tapas
- Itihasa
Praise and status are anitya; the seeker remains unattached, continuing toward the highest puruṣārtha rather than resting in intermediate fruits.
Katha-like insistence on the ‘śreyas’ over ‘preyas’: not settling for lesser attainments despite divine acknowledgment.
- Brahma and Vishwamitra
- Cosmic authority’s pronouncement received by ascetic; testing of aspiration
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 1.63.21 (Viśvāmitra’s claim of sense-conquest)
Mahābhārata ascetic episodes where boons do not satisfy the tapasvin’s larger vow (general motif)
Earlier Viśvāmitra narrative: repeated tapas after setbacks; the arc toward brahmarṣi-hood
Anuṣṭup (śloka)
Narrative
Even, measured; slight emphasis on the double negation 'न विषण्णो न सन्तुष्टः'
FAQs
Dharma values inner steadiness: one should not be shaken by praise or blame, but continue toward true self-mastery.
Even after Brahmā’s recognition, Viśvāmitra remains inwardly unresolved, indicating a higher goal still sought.
Stoic composure and relentless aspiration for complete mastery, beyond external titles.
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