Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 41, Shloka 18
अंशुमान्—अश्वान्वेषणम्, दिशागजसंवादः, कपिलदाहवृत्तान्तः, गङ्गोपदेशः
Anshuman’s Search for the Horse and the Counsel to Bring Ganga
कपिलेनाप्रमेयेन दग्धा हीमे महाबला:।सलिलं नार्हसि प्राज्ञ दातुमेषां हि लौकिकम्।।।।
kapilenāprameyena dagdhā hīme mahābalāḥ | salilaṃ nārhasi prājña dātum eṣāṃ hi laukikam ||
“அளவிட முடியாத வல்லமை கொண்ட கபிலர் இம்மஹாபலர்களை எரித்தார்; ஆகவே, ஓ ஞானியே, இவர்களுக்கு சாதாரண உலகியலான நீரை அர்ப்பணிப்பது உனக்குத் தகாது.”
'Your valiant uncles have been burnt by Kapila of boundless power. O Sagcious one! performing traditional rites with ordinary water is not proper'.
FAQs
Dharma requires appropriateness (aucitya) in rites: intention alone is not enough; the means must match the situation and scriptural-cosmic requirement.
Garuḍa explains that since the princes were reduced to ashes by Kapila’s power, ordinary water-offerings are insufficient.
Wisdom guided by instruction—Anśumān is urged to align devotion with correct practice.