Shloka 15
ऋश्यशृङ्गानयनकथा — The Account of Bringing Ṛśyaśṛṅga
and the Remedy for Drought
ते तु राज्ञो वचश्श्रुशृत्वा व्यथिता विनतानना:।न गच्छेम ऋषेर्भीता अनुनेष्यन्ति तं नृपम् ।। ।।
te tu rājño vacaḥ śruśṛtvā vyathitā vinatānanāḥ | na gacchema ṛṣer bhītā anuneṣyanti taṃ nṛpam ||
然而他们听到国王的命令，便心中惶惧，垂首低颜。因畏惧那位仙人，他们向国王哀求道：“我们不敢前往。”
On hearing the king's words, distressed and frightened by rishi's power, they appealed to the king, faces bent down, 'We will not go'.
FAQs
Dharma acknowledges the moral power of tapas: fear here reflects reverence for ascetic potency and the danger of approaching a sage improperly.
Those tasked with the mission hesitate and request relief, fearing the consequences of dealing with a formidable ascetic.
Caution born of respect: they recognize limits and potential fault if the approach is wrong.