Shloka 4
Vasiṣṭhāpavāha: Sarasvatī’s Diversion and Viśvāmitra’s Curse (वसिष्ठापवाहः)
वृत्ते विश्वजितो<न्ते वै पज्चालानृषयो5गमन् । तत्रेश्वरमयाचन्त दक्षिणार्थ मनस्विन:,क्रोधेन महता5<विष्टो धर्मात्मा वै प्रतापवान् | वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--राजन! ब्राह्मणत्वकी प्राप्ति करानेवाले उस तीर्थसे प्रस्थित होकर यदुनन्दन बलरामजी “अवाकीर्ण' तीर्थमें गये, जहाँ आश्रममें रहते हुए महातपस्वी धर्मात्मा एवं प्रतापी दलभपुत्र बकने महान् क्रोधमें भरकर घोर तपस्याद्वारा अपने शरीरको सुखाते हुए विचित्रवीर्यकुमार राजा धृतराष्ट्रके राष्ट्रका होम कर दिया था
vṛtte viśvajito 'nte vai pāñcālān ṛṣayo 'gaman | tatreśvaram ayācanta dakṣiṇārthaṃ manasvinaḥ | krodhena mahatāviṣṭo dharmātmā vai pratāpavān |
Vaiśampāyana said: When the sacrifice of Viśvajit had concluded, sages from the land of the Pāñcālas arrived. There, with resolute minds, they requested the lord for a sacrificial gift (dakṣiṇā). But a righteous and mighty ascetic, seized by intense anger, became the pivotal presence in that setting—signaling how even religious contexts can be morally tested when passions like wrath intrude upon dharma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse juxtaposes ritual propriety (the sages seeking dakṣiṇā after a sacrifice) with the disruptive force of krodha (anger). It hints that dharma is not secured merely by ritual completion; inner discipline is essential, because powerful emotions can distort righteous action even in sacred contexts.
After the Viśvajit rite ends, sages from Pañcāla arrive and ask the presiding lord/authority for dakṣiṇā (the customary sacrificial gift). The scene is marked by the presence of a righteous yet intensely angered, powerful figure, setting up ensuing events and tensions around duty, gifts, and moral conduct.