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Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 23

Bhagīratha Brings Gaṅgā; Saudāsa’s Curse; Khaṭvāṅga’s Instant Renunciation

रक्ष:कृतं तद् विदित्वा चक्रे द्वादशवार्षिकम् । सोऽप्यपोऽञ्जलिमादाय गुरुं शप्तुं समुद्यत: ॥ २३ ॥ वारितो मदयन्त्यापो रुशती: पादयोर्जहौ । दिश: खमवनीं सर्वं पश्यञ्जीवमयं नृप: ॥ २४ ॥

rakṣaḥ-kṛtaṁ tad viditvā cakre dvādaśa-vārṣikam so ’py apo-’ñjalim ādāya guruṁ śaptuṁ samudyataḥ

فلما علم فاسيشتا أن تقديم لحم الإنسان كان من فعل الراکشس لا من فعل الملك، ندم على لعن الملك البريء، وأقام تَقَشُّفًا اثني عشر عامًا للتطهير. وفي تلك الأثناء أخذ سوداسا ماءً في كفّيه وتلا تعويذة اللعن مستعدًّا أن يلعن فاسيشتا، لكن زوجته مدايَنتي منعته؛ وبغضبٍ سكبت الماء قرب قدمي المعلّم. ثم رأى الملك أن الجهات العشر والسماء وسطح الأرض كلها مملوءة بالكائنات الحيّة في كل مكان.

rakṣaḥ-kṛtamdone by a demon
rakṣaḥ-kṛtam:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeAdjective
Rootrakṣas (प्रातिपदिक) + kṛta (कृ-धातोः क्त)
FormNeuter, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular; तत्पुरुषः—‘done by a demon’
tatthat
tat:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Roottad (प्रातिपदिक)
FormNeuter, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular; demonstrative pronoun
viditvāhaving learned
viditvā:
Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
TypeVerb
Rootvid (धातु)
FormAbsolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा), ‘having known’
cakremade/did
cakre:
Kriya (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootkṛ (धातु)
FormPerfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Singular; ātmanepada
dvādaśa-vārṣikamtwelve-year (observance)
dvādaśa-vārṣikam:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeAdjective
Rootdvādaśa (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + vārṣika (प्रातिपदिक)
FormNeuter, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular; द्विगु-समासः—‘of twelve years’ (twelve-year [vow/penance])
saḥhe
saḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Roottad (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular; pronoun
apialso
api:
Nipata (निपात)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootapi (अव्यय)
FormParticle (निपात) meaning ‘also/even’
apaḥwater
apaḥ:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootap (प्रातिपदिक)
FormFeminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Plural (बहुवचन); ‘waters’
añjalima handful (in cupped hands)
añjalim:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootañjali (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular; ‘handful/añjali’
ādāyahaving taken
ādāya:
Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
TypeVerb
Rootā-dā (धातु)
FormAbsolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्), ‘having taken’
gurumthe guru
gurum:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootguru (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular
śaptumto curse
śaptum:
Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
TypeVerb
Rootśap (धातु)
FormInfinitive (तुमुन्), ‘to curse’
samudyataḥprepared/ready
samudyataḥ:
Visheshana (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootsam-ud-yam (धातु)
FormPast passive participle (क्त), Masculine, Nominative, Singular; ‘having risen up/ready’
R
Rākṣasa
G
guru (spiritual master)

FAQs

This verse shows the grave impulse to curse the guru even when one feels wronged; Bhagavatam presents such a reaction as spiritually dangerous and requiring restraint and higher understanding.

Because he concluded a Rākṣasa had caused the disruption, yet in his agitation he directed blame toward his guru, and with ritual water in hand he prepared to pronounce a curse.

Before reacting against teachers, elders, or mentors, pause to verify causes, control anger, and respond with humility—rash blame can damage long-term spiritual and personal growth.