Shloka 286
कुमाराभिषेकप्रश्नः — Inquiry into Kumāra (Skanda) Investiture at Sarasvatī
मोक्षार्थ राक्षसानां च नदीं तां प्रत्यचोदयन् । तदनन्तर उन तपोधन महर्षियोंने उस तीर्थकी शुद्धि करके उन राक्षसोंकी मुक्तिके लिये सरस्वती नदीसे अनुरोध किया
mokṣārthaṃ rākṣasānāṃ ca nadīṃ tāṃ pratyacodayan | tadanantaram un tapodhana maharṣiyo ne us tīrthakī śuddhi karke un rākṣasoṃkī muktike liye sarasvatī nadīse anurodha kiyā |
Vaiśampāyana dit : Dans le dessein d’obtenir la délivrance des rākṣasas, ils pressèrent cette rivière de poursuivre son cours. Ensuite, les grands ascètes, riches en austérité, purifièrent ce gué sacré et, désirant la libération de ces rākṣasas, adressèrent une supplication à la rivière Sarasvatī.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic ethic of compassion: even hostile or impure beings (Rākṣasas) are not beyond the reach of liberation when guided by the tapas and benevolent intent of sages, supported by purification and reverence for sacred waters.
Sages, aiming at the Rākṣasas’ release, direct the river and then purify a tīrtha; they petition the Sarasvatī to grant liberation to those beings, presenting the river as an active sacred power responsive to righteous supplication.