Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 63, Shloka 12
विश्वामित्रस्य तपोविघ्नः, मेनकाप्रसङ्गः, महर्षिपदप्रदानम्
Visvamitra’s Austerity Obstructed; Menaka Episode; Conferment of Maharshi Status
विनिश्श्वसन्मुनिवर: पश्चात्तापेन दु:खित:।भीतामप्सरसं दृष्ट्वा वेपन्तीं प्राञ्जलिं स्थिताम्।।।।मेनकां मधुरैर्वाक्यैर्विसृज्य कुशिकात्मज:।उत्तरं पर्वतं राम विश्वामित्रो जगाम ह।।।।
viniśśvasan munivaraḥ paścāttāpena duḥkhitaḥ | bhītām apsarasaṃ dṛṣṭvā vepantīṃ prāñjaliṃ sthitām || menakāṃ madhurair vākyair visṛjya kuśikātmajaḥ | uttaraṃ parvataṃ rāma viśvāmitro jagāma ha ||
罗摩啊，至上圣者长叹而悔恨忧苦，见那受惊的天女阿普萨拉颤抖着，合掌而立。俱希迦之子毗湿瓦密多以柔和之语遣别美那迦，遂往北方之山而去。
"O Rama! Viswamitra, the best of ascetics sighed with repentance, distressed with grief. On seeing him, the apsara started trembling in fear. She stood before him with folded palms. (But) with sweet words the son of Kushika left her and proceededtowards the northern mountains.
FAQs
Dharma is restoration after a fall: remorse (paścāttāpa) should lead to non-harmful closure and renewed discipline, not rage. Gentle dismissal and withdrawal back to tapas shows ethical self-correction.
After being diverted by Menakā, Viśvāmitra feels remorse; Menakā fears his reaction. He speaks kindly, lets her go, and leaves to resume austerities elsewhere.
Viśvāmitra’s virtue is controlled response and recommitment—he chooses restraint and a dharmic reset rather than anger or indulgence.