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Shloka 37

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

विशापो द्वादशाब्दान्ते मैथुनाय समुद्यत: । विज्ञाप्य ब्राह्मणीशापं महिष्या स निवारित: ॥ ३७ ॥

viśāpo dvādaśābdānte maithunāya samudyataḥ vijñāpya brāhmaṇī-śāpaṁ mahiṣyā sa nivāritaḥ

After twelve years, when King Saudāsa was released from the curse by Vasiṣṭha, he wanted to have sexual intercourse with his wife. But the Queen reminded him about the curse by the brāhmaṇī, and thus he was checked from sexual intercourse.

विशापःthe curse
विशापः:
कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
TypeNoun
Rootविशाप (प्रातिपदिक: वि + शाप)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन
द्वादशाब्दान्तेat the end of twelve years
द्वादशाब्दान्ते:
अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Time-location)
TypeNoun
Rootद्वादशाब्दान्त (प्रातिपदिक: द्वादश + अब्द + अन्त)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; द्विगु-पूर्वपद-तत्पुरुष (‘at the end of twelve years’)
मैथुनायfor sexual union
मैथुनाय:
सम्प्रदान (Sampradāna/Purpose)
TypeNoun
Rootमैथुन (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (4th/Dative), एकवचन
समुद्यतःready/intent
समुद्यतः:
कर्तृविशेषण (Kartṛ-viśeṣaṇa)
TypeVerb
Rootसम्-उद्-यम् (धातु)
Formक्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (Past Participle used adjectivally), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘prepared/ready’
विज्ञाप्यhaving informed
विज्ञाप्य:
पूर्वक्रिया (Pūrvakriyā/Adverbial)
TypeVerb
Rootवि-ज्ञप् (धातु)
Formक्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive), ‘having informed/appealed’
ब्राह्मणीशापम्the brāhmaṇa woman’s curse
ब्राह्मणीशापम्:
कर्म (Karma/Object of ‘vijñāpya’)
TypeNoun
Rootब्राह्मणीशाप (प्रातिपदिक: ब्राह्मणी + शाप)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (‘the brāhmaṇa woman’s curse’)
महिष्याby the queen
महिष्या:
करण/कर्तृ (Karaṇa/Agent-instrument; by the queen)
TypeNoun
Rootमहिषी (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन
सःhe
सः:
कर्ता (Karta/Subject; the king)
TypeNoun
Rootतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन
निवारितःwas restrained
निवारितः:
क्रिया (Kriyā/Main predicate)
TypeVerb
Rootनि-वार् (धातु)
Formकर्मणि क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (Past Passive Participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘was restrained/prevented’
V
Viśāpa
B
Brāhmaṇī
M
Mahīṣī (queen)

FAQs

This verse shows that a brāhmaṇī’s curse is treated as spiritually potent and binding, shaping a person’s conduct even after time has passed, and prompting careful restraint to avoid further reactions.

Because she reminded him of the brāhmaṇī’s curse and its consequences, and thus prevented him from acting in a way that could renew danger, sin, or further karmic entanglement.

Before acting on impulse—especially in sense enjoyment—seek good counsel, remember consequences, and choose restraint aligned with dharma and long-term spiritual well-being.