Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 53, Shloka 12
शबलाप्रार्थना–वसिष्ठप्रतिज्ञा
The Request for Śabalā and Vasiṣṭha’s Refusal
न परित्यागमर्हेयं मत्सकाशादरिन्दम ।शाश्वती शबला मह्यं कीर्तिरात्मवतो यथा।।1.53.12।।
na parityāgam arheyam matsakāśād arindama | śāśvatī śabalā mahyaṃ kīrtir ātmavato yathā ||
Wahai penakluk musuh! Tidak patut ia dipisahkan dari pemeliharaanku; bagiku Śabalā itu kekal, sebagaimana kemasyhuran tak terpisah dari insan yang menahan diri dan berbudi benar.
O Suppressor of enemies Viswamitra it is not proper to separate this cow from me. The relationship between Sabala and me is permanent like the relationship between a righteous man and his fame.
FAQs
Dharma as faithful guardianship: what is entrusted for sacred duty should not be relinquished under pressure or temptation.
Vasiṣṭha justifies his refusal by stating that Śabalā’s bond with him is enduring and dharmically grounded.
Steadfastness (dhṛti) and self-mastery: Vasiṣṭha frames the relationship in moral terms, not material ones.