Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 36
Sarasvatī-Śāpavimokṣa, Rākṣasa-Mokṣa, and Aruṇā-Tīrtha
Indra–Namuci Expiation
तं तु क्रुद्धमभिप्रेक्ष्य ब्रह्मवध्याभयान्नदी । अपोवाह वसिष् तु प्राचीं दिशमतन्द्रिता
taṃ tu kruddham abhiprekṣya brahmavadhyābhayān nadī | apovāha vasiṣṭhaḥ tu prācīṃ diśam atandritā ||
Seeing him enraged, the river—out of fear of the sin of Brahmin-slaying (brahmahatyā)—swiftly carried Vasiṣṭha away toward the eastern direction, remaining fully alert and resolute.
वसिष्ठ उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the gravity of brahmahatyā (Brahmin-slaying) as a paramount ethical transgression: even a river, personified as a moral agent, avoids becoming the instrument of such adharma and instead acts to prevent it.
Someone is seen in a state of anger; fearing the consequence of Brahmin-slaying, the river quickly carries the sage Vasiṣṭha away toward the east, protecting him and averting a grievous wrongdoing.
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