Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 18
Bhagīratha Brings Gaṅgā; Saudāsa’s Curse; Khaṭvāṅga’s Instant Renunciation
तत: सुदासस्तत्पुत्रो दमयन्तीपतिर्नृप: । आहुर्मित्रसहं यं वै कल्माषाङ्घ्रिमुत क्वचित् । वसिष्ठशापाद् रक्षोऽभूदनपत्य: स्वकर्मणा ॥ १८ ॥
tataḥ sudāsas tat-putro damayantī-patir nṛpaḥ āhur mitrasahaṁ yaṁ vai kalmāṣāṅghrim uta kvacit vasiṣṭha-śāpād rakṣo ’bhūd anapatyaḥ sva-karmaṇā
Dann hatte Sarvakāma einen Sohn namens Sudāsa; dessen Sohn Saudāsa war der Gemahl Damayantīs. Er wird bisweilen Mitrasaha oder Kalmāṣāṅghri genannt. Durch sein eigenes Fehlverhalten blieb er kinderlos, und durch den Fluch Vasiṣṭhas wurde er zu einem menschenfressenden Rākṣasa.
FAQs
In this verse, Mitrasaha—also called Kalmāṣāṅghri—is identified as the son of King Sudāsa and the husband of Damayantī, who later became a rākṣasa due to Vasiṣṭha’s curse.
The verse states that by Vasiṣṭha’s curse he became a rākṣasa; it also emphasizes that the king’s own actions (sva-karmaṇā) were instrumental in bringing about his childlessness and suffering.
Even when external factors like conflict or condemnation arise, the Bhagavatam highlights personal responsibility (karma) and the need for disciplined conduct, humility, and dharmic choices to avoid long-term consequences.