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
Als Vasiṣṭha erkannte, dass das Menschenfleisch vom Rākṣasa und nicht vom König gereicht worden war, bereute er, einen schuldlosen Herrscher verflucht zu haben, und übte zur Läuterung zwölf Jahre lang Askese. Inzwischen nahm Saudāsa Wasser in die hohlen Hände und rezitierte das Fluchmantra, bereit, Vasiṣṭha zu verfluchen; doch seine Gemahlin Madayantī hielt ihn zurück und goss das Wasser zornig nahe den Füßen des Guru aus. Da sah der König, dass die zehn Richtungen, der Himmel und die Erdoberfläche überall von Lebewesen erfüllt waren.
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.