Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 63, Shloka 7
विश्वामित्रस्य तपोविघ्नः, मेनकाप्रसङ्गः, महर्षिपदप्रदानम्
Visvamitra’s Austerity Obstructed; Menaka Episode; Conferment of Maharshi Status
इत्युक्ता सा वरारोहा तत्र वासमथाकरोत्।।।।तस्यां वसन्त्यां वर्षाणि पञ्च पञ्च च राघव ।विश्वामित्राश्रमे राम सुखेन व्यतिचक्रमु:।।।।
ity uktā sā varārohā tatra vāsam athākarot | tasyāṃ vasantyāṃ varṣāṇi pañca pañca ca rāghava | viśvāmitrāśrame rāma sukhena vyaticakramuḥ ||
یوں کہے جانے پر وہ عالی نسب و خوش قامت بانو نے وہیں قیام اختیار کیا۔ اور جب وہ وشوامتر کے آشرم میں رہتی رہی، اے رाघو کے فرزند، اے رام! پانچ اور پانچ—یعنی دس برس—آسانی سے گزر گئے۔
There the most brilliant son of Kusika Viswamitra saw Menaka whose beauty was incomparable. She looked like lightning in the clouds.
FAQs
Time can silently erode one’s vows: Dharma is not only about a single choice but sustained fidelity to one’s purpose, especially for those who have undertaken ascetic commitments.
Menakā stays with Viśvāmitra, and a full decade passes in the hermitage.
The implicit virtue is vigilance; the verse underscores how comfort (sukha) can become a subtle obstacle to austerity and steadfastness.