Shloka 4
Sarasvatī-Śāpavimokṣa, Rākṣasa-Mokṣa, and Aruṇā-Tīrtha
Indra–Namuci Expiation
आश्रमो वै वसिष्ठस्य स्थाणुतीर्थेडभवन्महान् । पूर्वतः पार्श्वतश्चासीद् विश्वामित्रस्य धीमत:
āśramo vai vasiṣṭhasya sthāṇutīrthe ’bhavan mahān | pūrvataḥ pārśvataś cāsīd viśvāmitrasya dhīmataḥ ||
قال فايشَمبايانا: عند سْثَانوتِيرثَ على نهر سَرَسْوَتِي قامت صومعة فَسِشْتَه العظمى على الضفة الشرقية؛ وعلى الضفة المقابلة إلى الغرب كانت صومعة الحكيم فيشْفامِتْرَه. ويؤطّر هذا المشهد الهادئ وجودَ ناسكين جليلين على مقربة، مُلمِّحًا إلى الثقل الأخلاقي لقوة التنسّك، وضبط النفس، وإلى ذاكرة خصومةٍ طويلة تحوّلت بالسعي الروحي.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the ethical and spiritual significance of tīrthas and āśramas: sacred places are not merely locations but settings where tapas, restraint, and dharma are cultivated. By placing Vasiṣṭha and Viśvāmitra on opposite banks, it also evokes the idea that greatness is tested in proximity—through self-control, humility, and the transformation of rivalry into higher spiritual pursuit.
Vaiśampāyana describes the geography at Sthāṇutīrtha on the Sarasvatī: Vasiṣṭha’s large hermitage lies on the eastern bank, while the wise Viśvāmitra’s hermitage is situated on the western/opposite side. This sets the stage for events connected with these sages and the sanctity of the place.