Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 12
बालकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः
Daśaratha’s Promise, Vasiṣṭha’s Counsel, and Viśvāmitra’s Weapon-Lore
न देवा नर्षय: केचिन्नासुरा न च राक्षसा:।गन्धर्वयक्षप्रवरास्सकिन्नरमहोरगा:।।।।
na devā na ṛṣayaḥ kecin nāsurā na ca rākṣasāḥ | gandharva-yakṣa-pravarāḥ sa-kinnara-mahāragāḥ ||
Chẳng phải chư thiên, cũng chẳng các hiền thánh; chẳng phải a-tu-la, cũng chẳng la-sát-sa; chẳng phải gandharva, cũng chẳng các yakṣa tối thắng, kinnaras hay đại long xà—đều không sánh kịp tri kiến ấy.
No gods nor sages nor asuras in rakshasas nor kinnaras nor mighty serpents norgandharvas nor the best of yakshas (will be able to know);
FAQs
Dharma recognizes true excellence regardless of rank: even celestial beings are not automatically superior to a sage perfected by tapas and truth.
A sweeping list of cosmic beings is invoked to stress that Viśvāmitra’s expertise is unrivaled.
Spiritual attainment—steadfast austerity and truth that elevate a human sage beyond ordinary hierarchies.