Shloka 4
Sarasvatī-Śāpavimokṣa, Rākṣasa-Mokṣa, and Aruṇā-Tīrtha
Indra–Namuci Expiation
आश्रमो वै वसिष्ठस्य स्थाणुतीर्थेडभवन्महान् । पूर्वतः पार्श्वतश्चासीद् विश्वामित्रस्य धीमत:
āśramo vai vasiṣṭhasya sthāṇutīrthe ’bhavan mahān | pūrvataḥ pārśvataś cāsīd viśvāmitrasya dhīmataḥ ||
毗湿摩波耶那说道：在萨拉斯瓦蒂河畔的“斯塔努渡口”（Sthāṇutīrtha），东岸矗立着婆悉吒（Vasiṣṭha）的大隐修林；而在对岸的西边，则是智者毗湿瓦密多罗（Viśvāmitra）的隐修林。此景静静铺陈两位大圣仙近在咫尺，暗示苦行之力、克制之德，以及那段经由灵性精进而被转化的宿怨所承载的道义分量。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the ethical and spiritual significance of tīrthas and āśramas: sacred places are not merely locations but settings where tapas, restraint, and dharma are cultivated. By placing Vasiṣṭha and Viśvāmitra on opposite banks, it also evokes the idea that greatness is tested in proximity—through self-control, humility, and the transformation of rivalry into higher spiritual pursuit.
Vaiśampāyana describes the geography at Sthāṇutīrtha on the Sarasvatī: Vasiṣṭha’s large hermitage lies on the eastern bank, while the wise Viśvāmitra’s hermitage is situated on the western/opposite side. This sets the stage for events connected with these sages and the sanctity of the place.