# Bāla Kāṇḍa 63 — Story of Viśvāmitra: Rambhā and the failure to master anger *Indra sends Rambhā to tempt him, Viśvāmitra turns her to stone and realizes that anger has again consumed his austerity* Portion: Story of Viśvāmitra · Verses: 15 · Ref format: 1.63. ## Sequence - Indra orders Rambhā to seduce Viśvāmitra (63.1) - she protests that she fears Viśvāmitra's wrath → Indra reassures her, promising to support her in springtime as a cuckoo, with Kāma beside him (63.2–6) - she assumes an enchanting form and approaches → Viśvāmitra hears the cuckoo and her song and looks at her with pleasure (63.7–8) - suspicion follows → recognizing Indra's scheme, he angrily curses her to remain stone for ten thousand years, until a powerful brāhmaṇa frees her (63.9–12) - Rambhā turns to stone, and Kāma departs → Viśvāmitra feels remorse: his anger has again consumed his austerity and shown that he has not mastered his senses (63.13–15). ## Verses **1.63.1** surakāryam idaṃ rambhe kartavyaṃ sumahat tvayā lobhanaṃ kauśikasyeha kāmamohasamanvitam “This is a very great service to the gods that must be done by you, O Rambhā — the seduction of Kauśika here, joined with the delusion of desire. **1.63.2** tathoktā sāpsarā rāma sahasrākṣeṇa dhīmatā vrīḍitā prāñjalir bhūtvā pratyuvāca sureśvaram Addressed thus, O Rāma, by the wise thousand-eyed one, that apsaras, embarrassed, with palms joined, replied to the lord of the gods: **1.63.3** ayaṃ surapate ghoro viśvāmitro mahāmuniḥ krodham utsrakṣyate ghoraṃ mayi deva na saṃśayaḥ tato hi me bhayaṃ deva prasādaṃ kartum arhasi “This terrible great sage Viśvāmitra, O lord of the gods, will loose his terrible wrath upon me, O god — there is no doubt. Therefore I am afraid, O god; you ought to show me your favor.” **1.63.4** tām uvāca sahasrākṣo vepamānāṃ kṛtāñjalim mā bhaiṣi rambhe bhadraṃ te kuruṣva mama śāsanam The thousand-eyed one said to her as she trembled with palms joined: “Do not be afraid, O Rambhā — blessings on you — carry out my command. **1.63.5** kokilo hṛdayagrāhī mādhave ruciradrume ahaṃ kandarpasahitaḥ sthāsyāmi tava pārśvataḥ (Becoming) a heart-captivating cuckoo in the springtime, among the lovely trees, I, together with Kandarpa (the god of love), will stand at your side. **1.63.6** tvaṃ hi rūpaṃ bahuguṇaṃ kṛtvā paramabhāsvaram tam ṛṣiṃ kauśikaṃ rambhe bhedayasva tapasvinam You, having assumed a form of many charms and supremely radiant, break down that ascetic seer Kauśika, O Rambhā.” **1.63.7** sā śrutvā vacanaṃ tasya kṛtvā rūpam anuttamam lobhayām āsa lalitā viśvāmitraṃ śucismitā Having heard his word, she assumed a peerless form, and the graceful one, sweetly smiling, sought to entice Viśvāmitra. **1.63.8** kokilasya tu śuśrāva valgu vyāharataḥ svanam saṃprahṛṣṭena manasā tata enām udaikṣata He heard the sweet note of the cuckoo singing melodiously; and with a thoroughly delighted mind he then looked up at her. **1.63.9** atha tasya ca śabdena gītenāpratimena ca darśanena ca rambhāyā muniḥ saṃdeham āgataḥ Then, at that sound, and at the incomparable song, and at the sight of Rambhā, the sage grew suspicious. **1.63.10** sahasrākṣasya tat karma vijñāya munipuṃgavaḥ rambhāṃ krodhasamāviṣṭaḥ śaśāpa kuśikātmajaḥ Recognizing this to be the work of the thousand-eyed one, the bull among sages, the son of Kuśika, filled with anger, cursed Rambhā: **1.63.11** yan māṃ lobhayase rambhe kāmakrodhajayaiṣiṇam daśavarṣasahasrāṇi śailī sthāsyasi durbhage “Since you seek to tempt me, O Rambhā, who strive to conquer desire and anger, you shall stand as stone for ten thousand years, O luckless one. **1.63.12** brāhmaṇaḥ sumahātejās tapobalasamanvitaḥ uddhariṣyati rambhe tvāṃ matkrodhakaluṣīkṛtām A brahmin of very great splendor, endowed with the power of austerity, will deliver you, O Rambhā, defiled by my wrath.” **1.63.13** evam uktvā mahātejā viśvāmitro mahāmuniḥ aśaknuvan dhārayituṃ kopaṃ saṃtāpam āgataḥ Having spoken thus, the greatly resplendent great sage Viśvāmitra, unable to restrain his anger, fell into remorse. **1.63.14** tasya śāpena mahatā rambhā śailī tadābhavat vacaḥ śrutvā ca kandarpo maharṣeḥ sa ca nirgataḥ By his mighty curse Rambhā then became stone; and hearing the great sage's word, Kandarpa too departed. **1.63.15** kopena sa mahātejās tapo 'paharaṇe kṛte indriyair ajitai rāma na lebhe śāntim ātmanaḥ Since his austerity had been robbed through anger, and his senses were still unconquered, O Rāma, he found no peace of mind.