Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 58, Shloka 4
त्रिशङ्कुशापः
Trishanku’s Curse and Appeal to Viśvāmitra
अशक्यमिति चोवाच वसिष्ठो भगवानृषि:।तं वयं वै समाहर्तुं क्रतुं शक्ता:कथं तव।।।।
aśakyam iti covāca vasiṣṭho bhagavān ṛṣiḥ |
taṃ vayaṃ vai samāhartuṃ kratuṃ śaktāḥ kathaṃ tava ||
Bậc Thánh hiền Vasiṣṭha, vị ṛṣi đáng tôn, đã nói: “Điều ấy là không thể.” Vậy chúng ta làm sao có đủ năng lực để cử hành tế lễ ấy cho ngài?
When an adorable sage like Vasishta has already said, it is not possible, how can we help you conduct such a sacrifice?
FAQs
Dharma is deference to rightful spiritual authority: if the qualified preceptor declares an act adharma or unfeasible, juniors should not override that judgment.
After Vasiṣṭha refuses the king’s request, the king approaches Vasiṣṭha’s sons; they refuse, citing Vasiṣṭha’s definitive verdict.
Obedience to the guru’s decision and restraint from undertaking a rite that violates established limits.