Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, 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
Ketika Vasiṣṭha memahami bahwa daging manusia itu disajikan oleh Rākṣasa, bukan oleh sang raja, ia menebusnya dengan menjalani tapa selama dua belas tahun karena telah mengutuk raja yang tak bersalah. Sementara itu, Saudāsa mengambil air di telapak tangan dan melafalkan mantra kutukan, siap mengutuk Vasiṣṭha, tetapi istrinya, Madayantī, melarangnya; dengan marah ia menumpahkan air itu di dekat kaki sang guru. Lalu sang raja melihat bahwa sepuluh penjuru, langit, dan permukaan bumi dipenuhi makhluk hidup di mana-mana.
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.