Shloka 24
Vasiṣṭhāpavāha: Sarasvatī’s Diversion and Viśvāmitra’s Curse (वसिष्ठापवाहः)
मम दीनस्य लुब्धस्य मौख्येण हतचेतस: । त्वं गतिस्त्वं च मे नाथ: प्रसादं कर्तुमहसि
mama dīnasya lubdhasya maukhyena hatacetasaḥ | tvaṃ gatis tvaṃ ca me nāthaḥ prasādaṃ kartum arhasi, bharataśreṣṭha! |
«Я жалок и алчен, и разум мой погублен глупостью. Ты — единственное моё прибежище; ты — мой владыка и защитник. Яви мне милость.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models ethical self-assessment and repentance: admitting greed and folly, then seeking mercy from a higher moral authority. It emphasizes humility and taking refuge in the righteous protector rather than justifying one’s wrongdoing.
A speaker, portrayed as guilty and mentally confounded, addresses a revered figure as “best of the Bharatas,” declaring that person to be his sole refuge and protector and requesting grace/forgiveness.