Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 59, Shloka 14
विश्वामित्रस्य शरणागति-प्रशंसा तथा वासिष्ठपुत्र-शापः
Visvamitra grants refuge; the curse upon Vasishta’s sons
ब्राह्मणा वा महात्मानो भुक्त्वा चण्डालभोजनम्।कथं स्वर्गं गमिष्यन्ति विश्वामित्रेण पालिता:।।1.59.14।।
brāhmaṇā vā mahātmāno bhuktvā caṇḍāla-bhojanam | kathaṃ svargaṃ gamiṣyanti viśvāmitreṇa pālitāḥ || 1.59.14 ||
たとえ彼らが大いなる心のバラモンであっても、チャンダーラの食を口にしたなら、ヴィシュヴァーミトラに従い守られる者たちは、どうして天界に至れようか。
O Best among ascetics! all the sons of Vasishta along with Mahodaya with their eyes reddened in anger spoke these harsh words":
FAQs
It interrogates the link between conduct, association, and spiritual outcome; at the same time, it illustrates how dharma can be argued through social stigma rather than through inner truth (satya) and intent.
The angry Vāsiṣṭhas continue their critique, claiming that participation under Viśvāmitra and acceptance of stigmatized food obstructs heavenly merit.
The verse implicitly calls for impartiality and truthfulness in moral reasoning, rather than condemnation based on birth-status labels.