Sarasvatī-Śāpavimokṣa, Rākṣasa-Mokṣa, and Aruṇā-Tīrtha
Indra–Namuci Expiation
अथ कूले स्वके राजन् जपन्तमृषिसत्तमम् | जुद्दानं कौशिक प्रेक्ष्य सरस्वत्य भ्यचिन्तयत्
atha kūle svake rājan japantam ṛṣisattamam | yuddhānaṃ kauśikaṃ prekṣya sarasvaty abhyacintayat ||
Тогда, о царь, на собственном берегу она увидела Каушику — первейшего из мудрецов, погружённого в повторение мантр; и в глубине себя Сарасвати размышляла, какой ответ будет подобающим.
वसिष्ठ उवाच
The verse highlights the ethical seriousness of ascetic practice: a sage’s japa and tapas are not merely private acts but forces with real-world consequences, prompting even divine powers (here Sarasvatī) to deliberate on what is right and proportionate.
Vasiṣṭha narrates that Sarasvatī notices Kauśika on the riverbank engaged in mantra-recitation and, after observing him, begins to reflect—setting up her ensuing decision or intervention in the unfolding episode.