Shloka 17
Sarasvatī-Śāpavimokṣa, Rākṣasa-Mokṣa, and Aruṇā-Tīrtha
Indra–Namuci Expiation
तामुवाच मुनि: क्रुद्धो वसिष्ठं शीघ्रमानय । यावदेनं निहन्म्यद्य तच्छुत्वा व्यथिता नदी
tām uvāca muniḥ kruddho vasiṣṭhaṃ śīghram ānaya | yāvad enaṃ nihany adya tac chrutvā vyathitā nadī ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Enraged, the sage said to her, “Bring Vasiṣṭha here at once—before I strike him down today.” Hearing those words, the river was shaken with distress.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ethical danger of krodha (anger): when anger governs intention, even a sage may speak in ways that threaten dharma. The river’s distress signals that violent resolve disrupts the natural and moral order.
Vaiśampāyana reports that an enraged sage commands a woman addressed as “her” to bring Vasiṣṭha immediately, declaring an intent to kill him that very day; upon hearing this, the river becomes agitated and distressed.