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 ||
既然可敬的圣仙婆悉吒已言“此事不可能”，我们又怎能有能力为你成就这般祭祀？
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.