Shloka 366
Sarasvatī-Śāpavimokṣa, Rākṣasa-Mokṣa, and Aruṇā-Tīrtha
Indra–Namuci Expiation
उभयो: कुर्वती वाक््यं वज्चयित्वा च गाधिजम् । उन्हें कुपित देख सरस्वती नदी ब्रह्महत्याके भयसे आलस्य छोड़ दोनोंकी आज्ञाका पालन करती हुई विश्वामित्रको धोखा देकर वसिष्ठ मुनिको पुनः पूर्व-दिशाकी ओर बहा ले गयी
ubhayor kurvatī vākyaṃ vañcayitvā ca gādhijam | taṃ kṛpitaṃ dṛṣṭvā sarasvatī nadī brahmahatyābhayād ālasyaṃ tyaktvā ubhayor ājñāṃ pālayantī viśvāmitraṃ vañcayitvā vasiṣṭhaṃ muniṃ punaḥ pūrva-diśāyāṃ pravāhayām āsa |
Having to comply with the commands of both, the river Sarasvatī resorted to a stratagem and deceived Gādhi’s son (Viśvāmitra). Seeing him enraged, and fearing the sin of brahmin-slaying, she cast off hesitation and—while outwardly fulfilling both orders—misled Viśvāmitra and once again carried the sage Vasiṣṭha back to flow toward the eastern direction. The episode underscores how fear of grave wrongdoing and the duty to protect a brahmin can drive even a divine river to choose the lesser harm through careful, if morally complex, action.
वसिष्ठ उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights the gravity of brahmahatyā (harm to a brahmin) and shows how dharma may require choosing the least harmful course when caught between conflicting commands—here, protecting Vasiṣṭha and avoiding a catastrophic sin, even through a strategic deception.
Sarasvatī, pressured by both Vasiṣṭha and Viśvāmitra, decides to outwit Viśvāmitra (Gādhi’s son). Seeing his anger and fearing the consequences of brahmin-slaying, she resumes carrying Vasiṣṭha and turns her flow back toward the east.