Shloka 39
Kapālamocana-tīrtha (Auśanasa) and Balarāma’s Sarasvatī Pilgrimage
पुरा मड़कणक: सिद्धः कुशाग्रेणेति न: श्रुतम् क्षत: किल करे राज॑स्तस्य शाकरसो5स्रवत्
vaiśampāyana uvāca | purā maṅkaṇakaḥ siddhaḥ kuśāgreṇeti naḥ śrutam | kṣataḥ kila kare rājan tasya śākaraṣo 'sravat ||
Waiśampāyana berkata: “Kami mendengar, wahai Raja, bahwa dahulu kala resi sempurna Maṅkaṇaka pernah tertusuk ujung rumput kuśa pada tangannya. Dari luka itu, konon bukan darah yang mengalir, melainkan getah sayuran berdaun.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse sets up an exemplum about ascetic attainment and the danger of becoming elated by extraordinary signs; even unusual powers or marvels are not the final measure of spiritual maturity, which requires steadiness and humility.
Vaiśampāyana recounts a traditional report: the sage Maṅkaṇaka was pricked by the tip of kuśa grass, and from his hand flowed vegetable sap instead of blood—an omen-like marvel that introduces the ensuing episode.