Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 23
Bhagīratha Brings Gaṅgā; Saudāsa’s Curse; Khaṭvāṅga’s Instant Renunciation
रक्ष:कृतं तद् विदित्वा चक्रे द्वादशवार्षिकम् । सोऽप्यपोऽञ्जलिमादाय गुरुं शप्तुं समुद्यत: ॥ २३ ॥ वारितो मदयन्त्यापो रुशती: पादयोर्जहौ । दिश: खमवनीं सर्वं पश्यञ्जीवमयं नृप: ॥ २४ ॥
rakṣaḥ-kṛtaṁ tad viditvā cakre dvādaśa-vārṣikam so ’py apo-’ñjalim ādāya guruṁ śaptuṁ samudyataḥ
Apabila Vasiṣṭha mengetahui bahawa daging manusia itu dihidangkan oleh Rākṣasa, bukan oleh raja, beliau menyesal kerana telah menyumpah raja yang tidak bersalah lalu menjalani tapa selama dua belas tahun untuk menyucikan diri. Sementara itu Saudāsa mengambil air di tapak tangan dan melafazkan mantra sumpahan, bersiap untuk menyumpah Vasiṣṭha, tetapi isterinya Madayantī menghalangnya; dalam kemarahan, air itu ditumpahkan dekat kaki sang guru. Kemudian raja melihat bahawa sepuluh penjuru, langit dan permukaan bumi dipenuhi makhluk hidup di mana-mana.
FAQs
This verse shows the grave impulse to curse the guru even when one feels wronged; Bhagavatam presents such a reaction as spiritually dangerous and requiring restraint and higher understanding.
Because he concluded a Rākṣasa had caused the disruption, yet in his agitation he directed blame toward his guru, and with ritual water in hand he prepared to pronounce a curse.
Before reacting against teachers, elders, or mentors, pause to verify causes, control anger, and respond with humility—rash blame can damage long-term spiritual and personal growth.