Shloka 9
Sarasvatī-Śāpavimokṣa, Rākṣasa-Mokṣa, and Aruṇā-Tīrtha
Indra–Namuci Expiation
विश्वामित्रवसिष्ठी तावहन्यहनि भारत । स्पर्धा तपःकृतां तीव्रां चक्रतुस्तो तपोधनौ,भारत! विश्वामित्र और वसिष्ठ दोनों ही तपस्याके धनी थे, वे प्रतिदिन होड़ लगाकर अत्यन्त कठोर तप किया करते थे
viśvāmitravaśiṣṭhī tāv ahany ahani bhārata | spardhā tapaḥkṛtāṃ tīvrāṃ cakratus tau tapodhanau ||
Disse Vaiśampāyana: Ó Bhārata! Viśvāmitra e Vasiṣṭha—ambos ricos em poder ascético—dia após dia travaram uma feroz rivalidade de austeridades, cada qual buscando superar o outro por meio de um tapas severíssimo.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that even genuine spiritual practices like tapas can be colored by ego and competition; ethical maturity lies in directing discipline toward self-mastery and dharma rather than rivalry.
Vaiśampāyana reports that the two great sages, Viśvāmitra and Vasiṣṭha, repeatedly performed severe austerities in a sustained contest, each attempting to surpass the other in ascetic achievement.