Shloka 11
Vasiṣṭhāpavāha: Sarasvatī’s Diversion and Viśvāmitra’s Curse (वसिष्ठापवाहः)
स तूत्कृत्य मृतानां वै मांसानि मुनिसत्तम:,क्रोधेन महता5<विष्टो धर्मात्मा वै प्रतापवान् | वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--राजन! ब्राह्मणत्वकी प्राप्ति करानेवाले उस तीर्थसे प्रस्थित होकर यदुनन्दन बलरामजी “अवाकीर्ण' तीर्थमें गये, जहाँ आश्रममें रहते हुए महातपस्वी धर्मात्मा एवं प्रतापी दलभपुत्र बकने महान् क्रोधमें भरकर घोर तपस्याद्वारा अपने शरीरको सुखाते हुए विचित्रवीर्यकुमार राजा धृतराष्ट्रके राष्ट्रका होम कर दिया था
sa tūtkṛtya mṛtānāṁ vai māṁsāni munisattamaḥ | krodhena mahatāviṣṭo dharmātmā vai pratāpavān ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: „O Bester der Weisen, jener rechtschaffene und mächtige Asket, von heftigem Zorn ergriffen, zerriss das Fleisch der toten Tiere.“
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a moral tension central to the Mahābhārata: even a dharmātmā (righteous person) can be overtaken by krodha (anger), and that inner disturbance can drive outwardly violent acts. It implicitly warns that spiritual stature and power (pratāpa) do not automatically immunize one against destructive emotions.
Vaiśampāyana narrates an incident about a powerful, righteous ascetic who, overwhelmed by great anger, mutilates the flesh of the dead. The line functions as a vivid description of wrath manifesting in extreme action, setting the tone for the surrounding episode.