Shloka 21
Sarasvatī-Śāpavimokṣa, Rākṣasa-Mokṣa, and Aruṇā-Tīrtha
Indra–Namuci Expiation
साभिगम्य वसिष्ठ॑ च इदमर्थमचोदयत् । बदुक्ता सरितां श्रेष्ठा विश्वामित्रेण धीमता
sābhigamya vasiṣṭhaṃ ca idam artham acodayat | baduktā saritāṃ śreṣṭhā viśvāmitreṇa dhīmatā ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Having approached Vasiṣṭha, she urged him about this matter. Thus addressed by the wise Viśvāmitra, the foremost of rivers (the Gaṅgā) responded in accordance with that request.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical force of respectful approach and purposeful speech: one seeks a qualified authority (Vasiṣṭha) and presses a matter through reasoned address, showing how counsel and persuasion operate within dharmic narrative.
A key figure (the foremost river, i.e., Gaṅgā) approaches Vasiṣṭha and urges him regarding a specific issue; the narration notes that she is being addressed in connection with the wise Viśvāmitra, setting up the next action or response in the episode.