Shloka 12
Sarasvatī-Śāpavimokṣa, Rākṣasa-Mokṣa, and Aruṇā-Tīrtha
Indra–Namuci Expiation
आनयिष्यति वेगेन वसिष्ठ॑ तपतां वरम् । इहागतं द्विजश्रेष्ठ हनिष्यामि न संशय:,भरतनन्दन! सदा धर्ममें तत्पर रहनेवाले विश्वामित्र मुनिके मनमें यह विचार उत्पन्न हुआ कि यह सरस्वती तपोधन वसिष्ठको अपने जलके वेगसे तुरंत ही मेरे समीप ला देगी और यहाँ आ जानेपर तपस्वी मुनियोंमें श्रेष्ठ विप्रवर वसिष्ठका मैं वध कर डालूँगा; इसमें संशय नहीं है
ānayiṣyati vegena vasiṣṭhaṁ tapatāṁ varam | ihāgataṁ dvijaśreṣṭhaṁ haniṣyāmi na saṁśayaḥ ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “(Sarasvatī) will swiftly bring Vasiṣṭha, the foremost among ascetics. Once that best of twice-born sages arrives here, I shall kill him—of this there is no doubt.” The verse conveys the surge of violent resolve arising even in a mind otherwise devoted to dharma, highlighting how anger and rivalry can eclipse ethical restraint.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a person oriented toward dharma can be overtaken by anger and hostility; ethical vigilance is required so that tapas, status, or certainty does not become a justification for violence.
The speaker reports a determined intention: Sarasvatī is expected to bring the sage Vasiṣṭha swiftly, and upon his arrival the would-be aggressor declares he will kill him without doubt—signaling an escalation of conflict involving revered ascetics.