01.165
Library: Story of Vashishtha and Vishwamitra.
अर्जुन उवाच॥
Arjuna said.
किंनिमित्तमभूद्वैरं विश्वामित्रवसिष्ठयोः। वसतोराश्रमे पुण्ये शंस नः सर्वमेव तत् ॥१-१६५-१॥
Please tell us in full for what reason enmity arose between Viśvāmitra and Vasiṣṭha while they were dwelling in the holy hermitage.
गन्धर्व उवाच॥
The gandharva said.
इदं वासिष्ठमाख्यानं पुराणं परिचक्षते। पार्थ सर्वेषु लोकेषु यथावत्तन्निबोध मे ॥१-१६५-२॥
This is the ancient narrative of Vasiṣṭha, as declared. O Pārtha, know that from me as it truly is, in all worlds.
कन्यकुब्जे महानासीत्पार्थिवो भरतर्षभ। गाधीति विश्रुतो लोके सत्यधर्मपरायणः ॥१-१६५-३॥
O best of the Bharatas, in Kanyakubja there was a great king named Gādhi, who was renowned in the world for his devotion to truth and righteousness.
तस्य धर्मात्मनः पुत्रः समृद्धबलवाहनः। विश्वामित्र इति ख्यातो बभूव रिपुमर्दनः ॥१-१६५-४॥
His son, Viśvāmitra, who was righteous-souled and endowed with great strength, became renowned as the destroyer of enemies.
स चचार सहामात्यो मृगयां गहने वने। मृगान्विध्यन्वराहांश्च रम्येषु मरुधन्वसु ॥१-१६५-५॥
He, along with his ministers, roamed the dense forest hunting, shooting deer and boars in the beautiful sandy plains.
व्यायामकर्शितः सोऽथ मृगलिप्सुः पिपासितः। आजगाम नरश्रेष्ठ वसिष्ठस्याश्रमं प्रति ॥१-१६५-६॥
O best of men, exhausted from exertion, desiring to hunt and thirsty, he then came to the hermitage of Vasiṣṭha.
तमागतमभिप्रेक्ष्य वसिष्ठः श्रेष्ठभागृषिः। विश्वामित्रं नरश्रेष्ठं प्रतिजग्राह पूजया ॥१-१६५-७॥
When he saw Viśvāmitra arrive, Vasiṣṭha, the foremost sage, welcomed the best of men with due honor.
पाद्यार्घ्याचमनीयेन स्वागतेन च भारत। तथैव प्रतिजग्राह वन्येन हविषा तथा ॥१-१६५-८॥
O Bhārata, he accepted the offerings of water for washing feet, respect, sipping water, and welcome, and likewise accepted the forest produce and oblation.
तस्याथ कामधुग्धेनुर्वसिष्ठस्य महात्मनः। उक्ता कामान्प्रयच्छेति सा कामान्दुदुहे ततः ॥१-१६५-९॥
Then, the wish-fulfilling cow of the great sage Vasiṣṭha, when addressed to grant desires, fulfilled those desires.
ग्राम्यारण्या ओषधीश्च दुदुहे पय एव च। षड्रसं चामृतरसं रसायनमनुत्तमम् ॥१-१६५-१०॥
Domestic and wild herbs yielded milk, the six tastes, nectar-like essence, and an unsurpassed elixir.
भोजनीयानि पेयानि भक्ष्याणि विविधानि च। लेह्यान्यमृतकल्पानि चोष्याणि च तथार्जुन ॥१-१६५-११॥
O Arjuna, there are various kinds of foods to be eaten, drunk, chewed, licked like nectar, and sucked.
तैः कामैः सर्वसम्पूर्णैः पूजितः स महीपतिः। सामात्यः सबलश्चैव तुतोष स भृशं नृपः ॥१-१६५-१२॥
Honored with all his desires fulfilled by them, the king, together with his ministers and army, was greatly satisfied.
षडायतां सुपार्श्वोरुं त्रिपृथुं पञ्च संवृताम्। मण्डूकनेत्रां स्वाकारां पीनोधसमनिन्दिताम् ॥१-१६५-१३॥
She has six extended parts, well-shaped thighs, three broad features, five enclosed aspects, eyes like a frog, her own form, full breasts, and is blameless.
सुवालधिं शङ्कुकर्णां चारुशृङ्गां मनोरमाम्। पुष्टायतशिरोग्रीवां विस्मितः सोऽभिवीक्ष्य ताम् ॥१-१६५-१४॥
He, astonished, looked at her—she had beautiful shoulders, conch-shaped ears, lovely horns, was charming, and had a strong, long head and neck.
अभिनन्दति तां नन्दीं वसिष्ठस्य पयस्विनीम्। अब्रवीच्च भृशं तुष्टो विश्वामित्रो मुनिं तदा ॥१-१६५-१५॥
He welcomed Nandī, the milk-rich cow of Vasiṣṭha. Then, greatly pleased, Viśvāmitra spoke to the sage.
अर्बुदेन गवां ब्रह्मन्मम राज्येन वा पुनः। नन्दिनीं सम्प्रयच्छस्व भुङ्क्ष्व राज्यं महामुने ॥१-१६५-१६॥
O Brahman, whether by ten million cows or by my kingdom again, please give Nandinī and enjoy the kingdom, O great sage.
वसिष्ठ उवाच॥
Vasiṣṭha said.
देवतातिथिपित्रर्थमाज्यार्थं च पयस्विनी। अदेया नन्दिनीयं मे राज्येनापि तवानघ ॥१-१६५-१७॥
O sinless one, this Nandinī, the milch cow, which is for the sake of deities, guests, ancestors, and clarified butter, is not to be given by me to you, even for a kingdom.
विश्वामित्र उवाच॥
Viśvāmitra said.
क्षत्रियोऽहं भवान्विप्रस्तपःस्वाध्यायसाधनः। ब्राह्मणेषु कुतो वीर्यं प्रशान्तेषु धृतात्मसु ॥१-१६५-१८॥
I am a kṣatriya, and you are a brāhmaṇa devoted to austerity and study. Among brāhmaṇas who are peaceful and self-controlled, where is the question of strength?
अर्बुदेन गवां यस्त्वं न ददासि ममेप्सिताम्। स्वधर्मं न प्रहास्यामि नयिष्ये ते बलेन गाम् ॥१-१६५-१९॥
Even though you do not give me my desired cow among the ten million cows, I will not abandon my own duty; I will take your cow by force.
वसिष्ठ उवाच॥
Vasiṣṭha said.
बलस्थश्चासि राजा च बाहुवीर्यश्च क्षत्रियः। यथेच्छसि तथा क्षिप्रं कुरु त्वं मा विचारय ॥१-१६५-२०॥
You are strong, a king, powerful in your arms, and a Kṣatriya; therefore, do quickly as you wish—do not hesitate or deliberate.
गन्धर्व उवाच॥
The gandharva said.
एवमुक्तस्तदा पार्थ विश्वामित्रो बलादिव। हंसचन्द्रप्रतीकाशां नन्दिनीं तां जहार गाम् ॥१-१६५-२१॥
O Pārtha, when thus addressed, Viśvāmitra forcibly seized Nandinī, the cow, who was as radiant as a swan and the moon.
कशादण्डप्रतिहता काल्यमाना ततस्ततः। हम्भायमाना कल्याणी वसिष्ठस्याथ नन्दिनी ॥१-१६५-२२॥
Nandinī, the auspicious cow of Vasiṣṭha, was struck with whips and sticks, driven here and there, and bellowed loudly.
आगम्याभिमुखी पार्थ तस्थौ भगवदुन्मुखी। भृशं च ताड्यमानापि न जगामाश्रमात्ततः ॥१-१६५-२३॥
O Pārtha, having come and facing forward, she stood turned toward the Lord. Though she was struck intensely, she did not leave the hermitage from there.
वसिष्ठ उवाच॥
Vasiṣṭha said.
शृणोमि ते रवं भद्रे विनदन्त्याः पुनः पुनः। बलाद्ध्रियसि मे नन्दि क्षमावान्ब्राह्मणो ह्यहम् ॥१-१६५-२४॥
O Nandi, I hear your sound, O auspicious one, as you cry out again and again. Though you are being carried by me by force, I am indeed a patient brāhmaṇa.
गन्धर्व उवाच॥
The gandharva said:
सा तु तेषां बलान्नन्दी बलानां भरतर्षभ। विश्वामित्रभयोद्विग्ना वसिष्ठं समुपागमत् ॥१-१६५-२५॥
But she, delighted by the strength of their armies, O Bharata, being agitated by fear of Viśvāmitra, approached Vasiṣṭha.
गौरुवाच॥
Gauru said.
पाषाणदण्डाभिहतां क्रन्दन्तीं मामनाथवत्। विश्वामित्रबलैर्घोरैर्भगवन्किमुपेक्षसे ॥१-१६५-२६॥
O Lord, why do you neglect me, who am being struck by Viśvāmitra's terrible forces with stone staffs, crying like one without a protector?
गन्धर्व उवाच॥
The gandharva said.
एवं तस्यां तदा पर्थ धर्षितायां महामुनिः। न चुक्षुभे न धैर्याच्च विचचाल धृतव्रतः ॥१-१६५-२७॥
Thus, O Partha, when she was violated, the great sage was neither agitated nor did he waver from his steadfastness, remaining firm in his vow.
वसिष्ठ उवाच॥
Vasiṣṭha said.
क्षत्रियाणां बलं तेजो ब्राह्मणानां क्षमा बलम्। क्षमा मां भजते तस्माद्गम्यतां यदि रोचते ॥१-१६५-२८॥
For kṣatriyas, strength is their energy; for brāhmaṇas, forbearance is their strength. Forbearance is with me; therefore, let it be left if you wish.
गौरुवाच॥
Gauru said.
किं नु त्यक्तास्मि भगवन्यदेवं मां प्रभाषसे। अत्यक्ताहं त्वया ब्रह्मन्न शक्या नयितुं बलात् ॥१-१६५-२९॥
"Am I truly abandoned, O revered one, that you speak to me in this way? I am not abandoned by you, O Brahman; I cannot be taken away by force."
वसिष्ठ उवाच॥
Vasiṣṭha said.
न त्वां त्यजामि कल्याणि स्थीयतां यदि शक्यते। दृढेन दाम्ना बद्ध्वैष वत्सस्ते ह्रियते बलात् ॥१-१६५-३०॥
O auspicious one, I am not abandoning you; stay here if you can. Your calf is being taken away by force, having been bound with a strong rope.
गन्धर्व उवाच॥
The gandharva said.
स्थीयतामिति तच्छ्रुत्वा वसिष्ठस्य पयस्विनी। ऊर्ध्वाञ्चितशिरोग्रीवा प्रबभौ घोरदर्शना ॥१-१६५-३१॥
Hearing the command, "Let her stand," the cow of Vasiṣṭha, with her head and neck raised high, appeared, looking fearsome.
क्रोधरक्तेक्षणा सा गौर्हम्भारवघनस्वना। विश्वामित्रस्य तत्सैन्यं व्यद्रावयत सर्वशः ॥१-१६५-३२॥
With eyes red with rage, the cow, bellowing thunderously, completely scattered Viśvāmitra's entire army.
कशाग्रदण्डाभिहता काल्यमाना ततस्ततः। क्रोधदीप्तेक्षणा क्रोधं भूय एव समादधे ॥१-१६५-३३॥
Struck by the tip of a whip, driven here and there, her eyes blazing with anger, she became even more enraged.
आदित्य इव मध्याह्ने क्रोधदीप्तवपुर्बभौ। अङ्गारवर्षं मुञ्चन्ती मुहुर्वालधितो महत् ॥१-१६५-३४॥
He shone like the midday sun, his form blazing with anger, repeatedly releasing a great shower of embers from his tail.
असृजत्पह्लवान्पुच्छाच्छकृतः शबराञ्शकान्। मूत्रतश्चासृजच्चापि यवनान्क्रोधमूर्च्छिता ॥१-१६५-३५॥
Overcome with anger, she created the Pahlavas from the tail, the Śabaras and Śakas from dung, and the Yavanas from urine.
पुण्ड्रान्किरातान्द्रमिडान्सिंहलान्बर्बरांस्तथा। तथैव दरदान्म्लेच्छान्फेनतः सा ससर्ज ह ॥१-१६५-३६॥
She created the Puṇḍras, Kirātas, Draviḍas, Siṃhalas, Barbaras, and likewise the Daradas and Mlecchas from the foam.
तैर्विसृष्टैर्महत्सैन्यं नानाम्लेच्छगणैस्तदा। नानावरणसञ्छन्नैर्नानायुधधरैस्तथा ॥ अवाकीर्यत संरब्धैर्विश्वामित्रस्य पश्यतः ॥१-१६५-३७॥
Then, by those sent forth, a great army of various groups of barbarians, covered in various armors and bearing various weapons, was scattered in the presence of the enraged Viśvāmitra, as he watched.
एकैकश्च तदा योधः पञ्चभिः सप्तभिर्वृतः। अस्त्रवर्षेण महता काल्यमानं बलं ततः ॥ प्रभग्नं सर्वतस्त्रस्तं विश्वामित्रस्य पश्यतः ॥१-१६५-३८॥
Each warrior, at that time, was surrounded by five or seven others; the army, tormented by a great shower of missiles, was then broken and terrified on all sides, as Viśvāmitra looked on.
न च प्राणैर्वियुज्यन्त केचित्ते सैनिकास्तदा। विश्वामित्रस्य सङ्क्रुद्धैर्वासिष्ठैर्भरतर्षभ ॥१-१६५-३९॥
O bull among the Bharatas, at that time, none of those soldiers of Viśvāmitra were separated from their lives by the enraged Vasiṣṭhas.
विश्वामित्रस्य सैन्यं तु काल्यमानं त्रियोजनम्। क्रोशमानं भयोद्विग्नं त्रातारं नाध्यगच्छत ॥१-१६५-४०॥
But Viśvāmitra's army, driven away for three yojanas, crying out in fear, could not find any protector.
दृष्ट्वा तन्महदाश्चर्यं ब्रह्मतेजोभवं तदा। विश्वामित्रः क्षत्रभावान्निर्विण्णो वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥१-१६५-४१॥
Upon witnessing that great marvel, the source of Brahmanic radiance, Viśvāmitra, feeling disheartened by his warrior status, spoke these words.
धिग्बलं क्षत्रियबलं ब्रह्मतेजोबलं बलम्। बलाबलं विनिश्चित्य तप एव परं बलम् ॥१-१६५-४२॥
Condemn physical strength, the might of warriors, and even the spiritual power of brāhmaṇas; having considered both strength and weakness, austerity alone is the highest strength.
स राज्यं स्फीतमुत्सृज्य तां च दीप्तां नृपश्रियम्। भोगांश्च पृष्ठतः कृत्वा तपस्येव मनो दधे ॥१-१६५-४३॥
He renounced his prosperous kingdom and radiant royal glory, set aside all enjoyments, and devoted his mind solely to austerity.
स गत्वा तपसा सिद्धिं लोकान्विष्टभ्य तेजसा। तताप सर्वान्दीप्तौजा ब्राह्मणत्वमवाप च ॥ अपिबच्च सुतं सोममिन्द्रेण सह कौशिकः ॥१-१६५-४४॥
Having gone, he attained perfection by austerity, pervading the worlds with his brilliance; he scorched all with blazing energy and attained Brahminhood. Kauśika also drank Soma together with Indra.
