Shloka 16
Vasiṣṭhāpavāha: Sarasvatī’s Diversion and Viśvāmitra’s Curse (वसिष्ठापवाहः)
दृष्टवा तथावकीर्ण तु राष्ट्र स मनुजाधिप:
vaiśampāyana uvāca | dṛṣṭvā tathāvakīrṇaṃ tu rāṣṭraṃ sa manujādhipaḥ | krodhena mahatāviṣṭo dharmātmā vai pratāpavān ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Voyant son royaume ainsi jeté dans la ruine et la confusion, ce seigneur des hommes fut accablé de chagrin au fond de lui et s’abîma dans une inquiétude profonde. Puis, avec les brāhmanes, il s’efforça de sauver le pays de ce péril.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a dharmic and capable ruler can be overtaken by krodha when the realm falls into disorder; the verse highlights the need to recognize anger as a destabilizing force that can threaten wise governance.
The narrator describes a king witnessing his kingdom in a state of ruin/confusion (avakīrṇa). In response, the king—though righteous and powerful—is overwhelmed by intense anger, setting the emotional and political tone for the ensuing events.