Shloka 23
Bhagīratha Brings Gaṅgā; Saudāsa’s Curse; Khaṭvāṅga’s Instant Renunciation
रक्ष:कृतं तद् विदित्वा चक्रे द्वादशवार्षिकम् । सोऽप्यपोऽञ्जलिमादाय गुरुं शप्तुं समुद्यत: ॥ २३ ॥ वारितो मदयन्त्यापो रुशती: पादयोर्जहौ । दिश: खमवनीं सर्वं पश्यञ्जीवमयं नृप: ॥ २४ ॥
rakṣaḥ-kṛtaṁ tad viditvā cakre dvādaśa-vārṣikam so ’py apo-’ñjalim ādāya guruṁ śaptuṁ samudyataḥ
Lorsque Vasiṣṭha comprit que l’acte venait du Rākṣasa et non du roi, il fut peiné d’avoir maudit un souverain sans faute et entreprit douze années d’austérités pour se purifier. Pendant ce temps, Saudāsa prit de l’eau dans ses mains et, récitant le mantra de malédiction, s’apprêta à maudire Vasiṣṭha, mais son épouse Madayantī l’en empêcha ; dans sa colère, elle répandit l’eau près des pieds du guru. Alors le roi vit que les dix directions, le ciel et la surface de la terre étaient partout remplis d’êtres vivants.
FAQs
This verse shows the grave impulse to curse the guru even when one feels wronged; Bhagavatam presents such a reaction as spiritually dangerous and requiring restraint and higher understanding.
Because he concluded a Rākṣasa had caused the disruption, yet in his agitation he directed blame toward his guru, and with ritual water in hand he prepared to pronounce a curse.
Before reacting against teachers, elders, or mentors, pause to verify causes, control anger, and respond with humility—rash blame can damage long-term spiritual and personal growth.