Shloka 18
Sarasvatī-Śāpavimokṣa, Rākṣasa-Mokṣa, and Aruṇā-Tīrtha
Indra–Namuci Expiation
तब कुपित हुए मुनिने उससे कहा--“वसिष्ठको शीघ्र यहाँ बहाकर ले आओ, जिससे आज मैं इनका वध कर डालूँ।' यह सुनकर सरस्वती नदी व्यथित हो उठी ।।
praāñjaliṁ tu tataḥ kṛtvā puṇḍarīkanibhekṣaṇā | prākampata bhṛśaṁ bhītā vāyunā ivāhatā latā ||
随后，盛怒的仙人对她说道：“速令水流将婆悉吒漂送至此，使我今日便杀了他！”萨拉斯瓦蒂河闻言悲惧交加。她那莲华般的双眼含着惶恐，合掌哀求，浑身剧烈颤抖，宛如藤蔓被狂风猛然击中而摇撼。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral danger of uncontrolled anger, especially in those with spiritual authority. The river-goddess’ fearful supplication suggests that power—ascetic or divine—should be governed by dharma and restraint, not by rage or the impulse to harm.
After hearing a threat involving Vasiṣṭha, Sarasvatī is depicted as a lotus-eyed woman who joins her hands and trembles intensely, compared to a vine shaken by wind—signaling fear and a plea to avert impending violence.