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 ||
پھر، اے راجا، اپنے ہی کنارے پر منتر جپ میں محو رِشیوں میں برتر کوشک (وشوامتر) کو دیکھ کر سرسوتی نے دل ہی دل میں غور کیا۔
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.