Sarasvatī-Śāpavimokṣa, Rākṣasa-Mokṣa, and Aruṇā-Tīrtha
Indra–Namuci Expiation
तस्मिन् सारस्वते तीर्थे विश्वामित्रो महामुनि: । वसिष्ठ॑ं चालयामास तपसोग्रेण तच्छुणु
tasmin sārasvate tīrthe viśvāmitro mahāmuniḥ | vasiṣṭhaṃ cālayāmāsa tapasogreṇa tac chṛṇu ||
Di tīrtha Sarasvatī itu, mahāmuni Viśvāmitra, dengan tapa yang menyala-nyala, mengguncang keteguhan Vasiṣṭha. Dengarkan, akan kututurkan peristiwanya.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse foregrounds the ethical tension between ascetic power (tapas) and inner steadiness: even great beings may be tested or disturbed, and the narrative invites reflection on self-mastery, restraint, and the right use of spiritual power.
Vaiśampāyana introduces a past incident at the Sārasvata tīrtha where Viśvāmitra, through intense austerities, caused Vasiṣṭha to be shaken; he asks the listener to hear that account.