Shloka 21
Sarasvatī-Śāpavimokṣa, Rākṣasa-Mokṣa, and Aruṇā-Tīrtha
Indra–Namuci Expiation
साभिगम्य वसिष्ठ॑ च इदमर्थमचोदयत् । बदुक्ता सरितां श्रेष्ठा विश्वामित्रेण धीमता
sābhigamya vasiṣṭhaṃ ca idam artham acodayat | baduktā saritāṃ śreṣṭhā viśvāmitreṇa dhīmatā ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Setelah mendekati Vasiṣṭha, dia mendesaknya tentang perkara itu. Maka, sungai yang terunggul antara segala sungai (Gaṅgā), setelah ditegur demikian oleh Viśvāmitra yang bijaksana, pun memberi jawapan menurut permintaan itu.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical force of respectful approach and purposeful speech: one seeks a qualified authority (Vasiṣṭha) and presses a matter through reasoned address, showing how counsel and persuasion operate within dharmic narrative.
A key figure (the foremost river, i.e., Gaṅgā) approaches Vasiṣṭha and urges him regarding a specific issue; the narration notes that she is being addressed in connection with the wise Viśvāmitra, setting up the next action or response in the episode.