Who · Parīkṣit, a sage and the sage’s son
The story · A sage sat in trance with his senses, breath, mind and intelligence restrained from material activities. Parīkṣit later wondered whether the sage had truly been meditating or had pretended in order to avoid receiving him. The sage’s son, his eyes red with anger, touched the water of the River Kauśika and pronounced a curse upon the King. When his father learned what had happened, he did not praise the boy but deeply regretted his action. He declared that the tired, hungry and thirsty King was a saintly devotee who did not deserve to be cursed.
What it teaches · The sage condemns the angry punishment of a king who should not have been condemned. His response emphasizes recognition of Parīkṣit’s devotion and consideration of his exhausted condition.