Shloka 12

शबलाप्रार्थना–वसिष्ठप्रतिज्ञा

The Request for Śabalā and Vasiṣṭha’s Refusal

Devanagari script

न परित्यागमर्हेयं मत्सकाशादरिन्दम ।शाश्वती शबला मह्यं कीर्तिरात्मवतो यथा।।1.53.12।।

Transliteration

na parityāgam arheyam matsakāśād arindama | śāśvatī śabalā mahyaṃ kīrtir ātmavato yathā ||

Translation

O manlulupig sa mga kaaway, hindi nararapat na ihiwalay siya sa aking pag-aaruga; sapagkat sa akin si Śabalā ay walang-kupas at walang-hanggan, gaya ng katanyagan na di-maihihiwalay sa taong may pagpipigil-sa-sarili at katuwiran.

Word by Word

• na: not
• na: Niṣedha (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Niṣedha-nipāta

• parityāgam: abandonment
• parityāgam: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parityāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• arhā: fit/worthy
• arhā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: arh (अर्ह् धातु)
• Form: Śatṛ-pratyaya present participle used adjectivally (शतृ), Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; 'worthy/deserving'

• iyam: this (she)
• iyam: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (इदम् सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; sarvanāma

• mat-sakāśāt: from me / from my vicinity
• mat-sakāśāt: Apādāna (अपादान/source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mad + sakāśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Pañcamī vibhakti (5th/ablative), Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: 'mama sakāśāt' (from my presence)

• arindama: O subduer of foes
• arindama: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: arindama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Sambodhana, Ekavacana

• śāśvatī: everlasting
• śāśvatī: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śāśvatī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• śabalā: Śabalā
• śabalā: Karta (कर्ता/subject; apposition to iyam)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śabalā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• mahyam: for me
• mahyam: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान/for me)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (अस्मद् सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Caturthī, Ekavacana

• kīrtiḥ: fame
• kīrtiḥ: Upamāna (उपमान/standard of comparison)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kīrti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• ātmavataḥ: of a virtuous man
• ātmavataḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ātmavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī, Ekavacana; 'of the self-controlled/righteous man'

• yathā: like
• yathā: Upamā (उपमा/comparison marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Upamā-avyaya (comparative particle: 'like/as')

Context

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.

Characters & Entities

• Vasiṣṭha
• Viśvāmitra
• Śabalā

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma as faithful guardianship: what is entrusted for sacred duty should not be relinquished under pressure or temptation.

What is the narrative situation?

Vasiṣṭha justifies his refusal by stating that Śabalā’s bond with him is enduring and dharmically grounded.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfastness (dhṛti) and self-mastery: Vasiṣṭha frames the relationship in moral terms, not material ones.