Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 53, Shloka 10
शबलाप्रार्थना–वसिष्ठप्रतिज्ञा
The Request for Śabalā and Vasiṣṭha’s Refusal
एवमुक्तस्तु भगवान्वसिष्ठो मुनिसत्तम:।विश्वामित्रेण धर्मात्मा प्रत्युवाच महीपतिम्।।1.53.10।।
evam uktas tu bhagavān vasiṣṭho munisattamaḥ | viśvāmitreṇa dharmātmā pratyuvāca mahīpatim ||
毗湿瓦密多如此言毕，受人敬仰的瓦西什塔——诸仙之最、安住于法者——便答复国王。
Addressed the by Viswamitra venerable and righteous Vasishta who was of the earth ascetic replied:
FAQs
Dharma as moral authority: Vasiṣṭha’s reply is framed as dharmic counsel, implying that power and possession must be governed by righteousness, not coercion.
After Viśvāmitra’s demand regarding Śabalā, Vasiṣṭha prepares to respond, marking the escalation of their dispute.
Vasiṣṭha’s steadiness in dharma—measured response and principled speech in the face of pressure.