Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 53, Shloka 14
शबलाप्रार्थना–वसिष्ठप्रतिज्ञा
The Request for Śabalā and Vasiṣṭha’s Refusal
स्वाहाकारवषट्कारौ विद्याश्च विविधा स्तथा।आयत्तमत्र राजर्षे सर्वमेतन्न संशय:।।1.53.14।।
svāhākāravaṣaṭkārau vidyāś ca vividhās tathā | āyattam atra rājarṣe sarvam etan na saṃśayaḥ ||
王者圣仙啊，“娑嚩诃”（svāhā）与“婆沙吒”（vaṣaṭ）的呼请，以及种种学艺与法门，也都系于她；此中一切无疑皆依她而立。
O Royal saint! swaha and vashat and various branches of learning are all dependent on this cow. No doubt about it.
FAQs
Reverence for sacred foundations: mantric speech and learning are treated as dharmic supports, not instruments to be seized by force.
Vasiṣṭha reinforces the indispensability of Śabalā by linking her to ritual formulae and the functioning of sacred knowledge.
Clarity and authority in teaching: Vasiṣṭha argues from principle and tradition, not from fear or bargaining.