Shloka 20
Vasiṣṭhāpavāha: Sarasvatī’s Diversion and Viśvāmitra’s Curse (वसिष्ठापवाहः)
ततो वै प्राश्निकाः प्राहुः पशोर्विप्रकृतस्त्वया । मांसैरभिजुहोतीदं तव राष्ट्र मुनिर्बक:
tato vai prāśnikāḥ prāhuḥ paśor viprakṛtas tvayā | māṃsair abhijuhotīdaṃ tava rāṣṭra munir bakaḥ, krodhena mahatāviṣṭo dharmātmā vai pratāpavān |
Vaiśampāyana dit : « Alors les prāśnikas déclarèrent : “Tu as offensé le sage Baka, qui avait demandé un animal. C’est pourquoi cet ascète juste et puissant—saisi d’une colère ardente—accomplit à présent des oblations (homa) avec de la chair, dans l’intention de détruire ton royaume.” »
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical danger of disrespecting a righteous ascetic: even a dharmic person, when gravely wronged, may act from anger, and ritual power (tapas/karma) can translate moral injury into political catastrophe. It underscores accountability in kingship and the need for restraint and proper atonement.
Expiatory priests report that the sage Baka—angered because he was wronged when requesting an animal—has begun offering oblations using flesh, aiming at the destruction of the king’s realm. The statement frames the crisis as a consequence of an offense against a powerful ascetic.