Shloka 17
Ārṣṭiṣeṇa’s Siddhi and the Tīrtha-Boons; Sindhudvīpa–Devāpi Brāhmaṇya; Viśvāmitra’s Tapas Begins
स तु गत्वा ततस्तत्र तीर्थमौशनसं द्विज:,तदनन्तर वे ब्रह्मर्षि वहाँ औशनसतीर्थमें गये और उसके जलसे आचमन एवं स्नान किया। उसी समय वह कपाल उनके चरण (जाँघ)-को छोड़कर पानीके भीतर गिर पड़ा
sa tu gatvā tatastatra tīrtham auśanasaṃ dvijaḥ | tad-anantaraṃ vai brahmarṣiḥ tatra auśanasa-tīrthe gatvā tasya jalena ācamanaṃ ca snānaṃ ca cakāra | tasminn eva kāle tat kapālaṃ tasya ūru-caraṇau vihāya jalāntare nipapāta |
Then the brahmin went on from there to the sacred ford known as Auśanasa. After reaching that holy place, the brahmarṣi performed sipping of water and bathed in its waters. At that very moment, the skull that had been clinging to his thigh/foot released its hold and dropped down into the water—signaling the easing of a burdensome attachment through purification at a consecrated tīrtha.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the purificatory power of tīrtha and right ritual conduct: through ācamana and snāna at a consecrated place, a troubling attachment (symbolized by the clinging skull) is released, suggesting the easing of karmic burden through disciplined purification.
A brahmin/seer reaches the Auśanasa pilgrimage ford, performs ritual sipping and bathing, and at that very moment the skull that had been stuck to his thigh/foot drops off and falls into the water.