Shloka 17
Vasiṣṭhāpavāha: Sarasvatī’s Diversion and Viśvāmitra’s Curse (वसिष्ठापवाहः)
बभूव दुर्मना राजंश्विन्तयामास च प्रभु: । मोक्षार्थमकरोद्ू यत्नं ब्राह्मणैः सहित: पुरा,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 राजन! अपने राष्ट्रको इस प्रकार संकटमग्न हुआ देख वे नरेश मन-ही-मन बहुत दुःखी हुए और गहरी चिन्तामें डूब गये। फिर ब्राह्मणोंक साथ अपने देशको संकटसे बचानेका प्रयत्न करने लगे
vaiśampāyana uvāca | babhūva durmanā rājan śvintayāmāsa ca prabhuḥ | mokṣārtham akarod yatnaṃ brāhmaṇaiḥ sahitaḥ purā | krodhena mahatāviṣṭo dharmātmā vai pratāpavān |
Vaiśampāyana said: “O King, the lord grew downcast and sank into anxious reflection. Formerly, seeking deliverance (mokṣa), he undertook an effort together with the brāhmaṇas. Though righteous at heart and mighty in prowess, he was seized by a great wrath—setting in motion deeds of grave moral weight and dire consequence.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a dharmic and powerful person can be overwhelmed by krodha; the verse juxtaposes the pursuit of mokṣa and counsel with brāhmaṇas against the destabilizing force of intense anger, highlighting the ethical danger of letting wrath govern action.
The narrator describes a ruler/lord who becomes mentally distressed and deeply worried; recalling or undertaking an earlier effort aimed at liberation and supported by brāhmaṇas, he is also portrayed as being seized by great anger, setting the stage for consequential decisions.