Shloka 13
युधिष्ठिरप्रश्नः—विश्वामित्रस्य ब्राह्मणत्वकौतूहलम् | Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry on Viśvāmitra’s Attainment of Brāhmaṇya
तदाप्रभृति पुण्या हि विपाशाभून्महानदी । विख्याता कर्मणा तेन वसिष्ठस्य महात्मन:
tadāprabhṛti puṇyā hi vipāśābhūn mahānadī | vikhyātā karmaṇā tena vasiṣṭhasya mahātmanaḥ ||
Mula noon, ang dakilang ilog ay naging banal at nakilala sa pangalang Vipāśā. Naging tanyag ito dahil sa pambihirang gawa ng marangal na si Vasiṣṭha: nang siya’y matakot kay Viśvāmitra, itinali niya ang sarili sa lubid at pumasok sa ilog upang malunod, ngunit pinalaya siya ng ilog sa pagkakagapos at siya’y muling umahon. Kaya mula noon, ipinagdiwang ang ilog bilang “Vipāśā,” ang ‘walang gapos’.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A place becomes sacred through association with great virtue and extraordinary moral-spiritual events. The verse highlights how the renown of a holy river can arise from the righteous power (and lived experience) of a great sage, emphasizing that ethical-spiritual stature leaves lasting sanctifying influence on the world.
Yudhiṣṭhira recounts that Vasiṣṭha, terrified of Viśvāmitra, tried to end his life by tying himself with a rope and entering a river. The river, however, freed him from the bonds so he emerged alive. Because of this event, the river became famous and was thereafter called Vipāśā—‘the bondless one.’