Shloka 18
Sarasvatī-Śāpavimokṣa, Rākṣasa-Mokṣa, and Aruṇā-Tīrtha
Indra–Namuci Expiation
तब कुपित हुए मुनिने उससे कहा--“वसिष्ठको शीघ्र यहाँ बहाकर ले आओ, जिससे आज मैं इनका वध कर डालूँ।' यह सुनकर सरस्वती नदी व्यथित हो उठी ।।
praāñjaliṁ tu tataḥ kṛtvā puṇḍarīkanibhekṣaṇā | prākampata bhṛśaṁ bhītā vāyunā ivāhatā latā ||
Então o sábio, tomado de cólera, disse-lhe: “Faze que Vasiṣṭha seja trazido aqui pela corrente, sem demora, para que hoje eu o mate.” Ao ouvir isso, o rio Sarasvatī ficou aflito. E ela—de olhos como lótus—juntou as mãos em súplica e tremeu violentamente de medo, como uma trepadeira sacudida por uma rajada de vento.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral danger of uncontrolled anger, especially in those with spiritual authority. The river-goddess’ fearful supplication suggests that power—ascetic or divine—should be governed by dharma and restraint, not by rage or the impulse to harm.
After hearing a threat involving Vasiṣṭha, Sarasvatī is depicted as a lotus-eyed woman who joins her hands and trembles intensely, compared to a vine shaken by wind—signaling fear and a plea to avert impending violence.