Shloka 22
Sarasvatī-Śāpavimokṣa, Rākṣasa-Mokṣa, and Aruṇā-Tīrtha
Indra–Namuci Expiation
विश्वामित्रकी बात सुनकर और उनकी पापपूर्ण चेष्टा जानकर वसिष्ठके भूतलपर विख्यात अनुपम प्रभावको जानती हुई उस नदीने उनके पास जाकर बुद्धिमान विश्वामित्रने जो कुछ कहा था, वह सब उनसे कह सुनाया ।।
ubhayōḥ śāpayor bhītā vepamānā punaḥ punaḥ | cintayitvā mahāśāpam ṛṣi-vitrāsitā bhṛśam ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: Ao ouvir as palavras de Viśvāmitra e conhecer sua tentativa pecaminosa, e sabendo do poder incomparável e afamado de Vasiṣṭha sobre a terra, o rio aproximou-se dele e contou a Vasiṣṭha tudo quanto dissera o sábio Viśvāmitra. Temendo as duas maldições, tremia repetidas vezes; e, ao refletir sobre a terrível força da grande maldição, ficou extremamente assustada com a ira do ṛṣi Viśvāmitra.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of ascetic power: curses are not merely supernatural threats but moral forces with consequences. Fear arises when one is entangled in adharma or caught between competing authorities, urging discernment and restraint.
A river, having become involved in the conflict between the sages Viśvāmitra and Vasiṣṭha, is terrified by the prospect of being cursed by either side. She repeatedly trembles, contemplating the severity of the curse and the sage’s anger.