Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 23
Bhagīratha Brings Gaṅgā; Saudāsa’s Curse; Khaṭvāṅga’s Instant Renunciation
रक्ष:कृतं तद् विदित्वा चक्रे द्वादशवार्षिकम् । सोऽप्यपोऽञ्जलिमादाय गुरुं शप्तुं समुद्यत: ॥ २३ ॥ वारितो मदयन्त्यापो रुशती: पादयोर्जहौ । दिश: खमवनीं सर्वं पश्यञ्जीवमयं नृप: ॥ २४ ॥
rakṣaḥ-kṛtaṁ tad viditvā cakre dvādaśa-vārṣikam so ’py apo-’ñjalim ādāya guruṁ śaptuṁ samudyataḥ
रक्षःकृतं तदिति विदित्वा वसिष्ठो भगवान् दोषरहितं नृपं शप्तवानिति मनसि खेदं कृत्वा शुद्ध्यर्थं द्वादशवार्षिकं तपश्चक्रे। अथ सौदासोऽपि जलमञ्जलिमादाय शापमन्त्रं जपन् गुरुं शप्तुं समुद्यतः; मदयन्ती तं निवार्य पादयोर्जलं रुशती जहौ। ततः स नृपः पश्यन् दिशः खं चावनीं च सर्वं जीवमयं ददर्श।
FAQs
This verse shows the grave impulse to curse the guru even when one feels wronged; Bhagavatam presents such a reaction as spiritually dangerous and requiring restraint and higher understanding.
Because he concluded a Rākṣasa had caused the disruption, yet in his agitation he directed blame toward his guru, and with ritual water in hand he prepared to pronounce a curse.
Before reacting against teachers, elders, or mentors, pause to verify causes, control anger, and respond with humility—rash blame can damage long-term spiritual and personal growth.