Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 53, Shloka 13
शबलाप्रार्थना–वसिष्ठप्रतिज्ञा
The Request for Śabalā and Vasiṣṭha’s Refusal
अस्यां हव्यं च कव्यं च प्राणयात्रा तथैव च।आयत्तमग्निहोत्रं च बलिर्होमस्तथैव च।।1.53.13।।
asyāṃ havyaṃ ca kavyaṃ ca prāṇayātrā tathaiva ca | āyattam agnihotraṃ ca balir homas tathaiva ca ||
对她而言，供奉诸神与祖灵的祭品、维生之道、阿耆尼霍特罗（agnihotra）之火祭，以及巴利（bali）与护摩（homa）诸供，皆系于她。
For havyam (oblations to gods) and kavyam (oblations to ancestors), for fulfilling the necessities of life, maintenance of the sacred fire and offering oblations to all spirits of created beings, and for offerings made to the Fire-god I depend on this cow.
FAQs
Dharma is sustained by right ritual action and responsibility: removing a key support of sacred duty disrupts the moral-religious order.
Vasiṣṭha explains that Śabalā is essential for his ritual obligations and daily sustenance, so relinquishing her would impair dharmic practice.
Commitment to sacred duty: Vasiṣṭha prioritizes continuity of rites and obligations over appeasing royal demand.