01.165
Library: Story of Vashishtha and Vishwamitra.
arjuna uvāca॥
Arjuna said.
kiṁnimittam abhūd vairaṁ viśvāmitra-vasiṣṭhayoḥ। vasator āśrame puṇye śaṁsa naḥ sarvam eva tat॥1-165-1॥
Please tell us in full for what reason enmity arose between Viśvāmitra and Vasiṣṭha while they were dwelling in the holy hermitage.
gandharva uvāca॥
The gandharva said.
idaṃ vāsiṣṭhamākhyānaṃ purāṇaṃ paricakṣate। pārtha sarveṣu lokeṣu yathāvat tannibodha me ॥1-165-2॥
This is the ancient narrative of Vasiṣṭha, as declared. O Pārtha, know that from me as it truly is, in all worlds.
kanyakubje mahān āsīt pārthivo bharatarṣabha। gādhīti viśrutaḥ loke satyadharmaparāyaṇaḥ ॥1-165-3॥
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.
tasya dharmātmanaḥ putraḥ samṛddhabalavāhanaḥ। viśvāmitra iti khyāto babhūva ripumardanaḥ ॥1-165-4॥
His son, Viśvāmitra, who was righteous-souled and endowed with great strength, became renowned as the destroyer of enemies.
sa cacāra sahāmātyo mṛgayāṃ gahane vane। mṛgānvidhyanvarāhāṃśca ramyeṣu marudhanvasu ॥1-165-5॥
He, along with his ministers, roamed the dense forest hunting, shooting deer and boars in the beautiful sandy plains.
vyāyāmakarśitaḥ so’tha mṛgalipsuḥ pipāsitaḥ। ājagāma naraśreṣṭha vasiṣṭhasyāśramaṃ prati ॥1-165-6॥
O best of men, exhausted from exertion, desiring to hunt and thirsty, he then came to the hermitage of Vasiṣṭha.
tamāgatam abhiprekṣya vasiṣṭhaḥ śreṣṭhabhāgṛṣiḥ। viśvāmitraṃ naraśreṣṭhaṃ pratijagrāha pūjayā ॥1-165-7॥
When he saw Viśvāmitra arrive, Vasiṣṭha, the foremost sage, welcomed the best of men with due honor.
pādyārghyācamaniyena svāgatena ca bhārata। tathaiva pratijagrāha vanyena haviṣā tathā ॥1-165-8॥
O Bhārata, he accepted the offerings of water for washing feet, respect, sipping water, and welcome, and likewise accepted the forest produce and oblation.
tasyātha kāmadhugdhenur vasiṣṭhasya mahātmanaḥ। uktā kāmān prayaccheti sā kāmān duduhe tataḥ॥1-165-9॥
Then, the wish-fulfilling cow of the great sage Vasiṣṭha, when addressed to grant desires, fulfilled those desires.
grāmyāraṇyā oṣadhīś ca duduhe paya eva ca। ṣaḍrasaṃ cāmṛtarasaṃ rasāyanam anuttamam ॥1-165-10॥
Domestic and wild herbs yielded milk, the six tastes, nectar-like essence, and an unsurpassed elixir.
bhojanīyāni peyāni bhakṣyāṇi vividhāni ca। lehyānyamṛtakalpāni coṣyāṇi ca tathārjuna॥1-165-11॥
O Arjuna, there are various kinds of foods to be eaten, drunk, chewed, licked like nectar, and sucked.
taiḥ kāmaiḥ sarvasampūrṇaiḥ pūjitaḥ sa mahīpatiḥ। sāmātyaḥ sabalaścaiva tutoṣa sa bhṛśaṃ nṛpaḥ ॥1-165-12॥
Honored with all his desires fulfilled by them, the king, together with his ministers and army, was greatly satisfied.
ṣaḍāyatāṃ supārśvoruṃ tripṛthuṃ pañca saṃvṛtām। maṇḍūkanetrāṃ svākārāṃ pīnodhasamaninditām ॥1-165-13॥
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.
suvāladhiṃ śaṅkukarṇāṃ cāruśṛṅgāṃ manoramām। puṣṭāyataśirogrīvāṃ vismitaḥ so'bhivīkṣya tām ॥1-165-14॥
He, astonished, looked at her—she had beautiful shoulders, conch-shaped ears, lovely horns, was charming, and had a strong, long head and neck.
abhinandati tāṃ nandīṃ vasiṣṭhasya payasvinīm। abravīc ca bhṛśaṃ tuṣṭo viśvāmitro muniṃ tadā ॥1-165-15॥
He welcomed Nandī, the milk-rich cow of Vasiṣṭha. Then, greatly pleased, Viśvāmitra spoke to the sage.
arbudeṇa gavāṃ brahman mama rājyena vā punaḥ। nandinīṃ samprayacchasva bhuṅkṣva rājyaṃ mahāmune ॥1-165-16॥
O Brahman, whether by ten million cows or by my kingdom again, please give Nandinī and enjoy the kingdom, O great sage.
vasiṣṭha uvāca॥
Vasiṣṭha said.
devatātithipitṛarthamājyārthaṃ ca payasvinī। adeyā nandinīyaṃ me rājyenāpi tavānagha ॥1-165-17॥
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.
viśvāmitra uvāca॥
Viśvāmitra said.
kṣatriyo'ham bhavān vipra tapaḥsvādhyāyasādhanaḥ। brāhmaṇeṣu kuto vīryaṃ praśānteṣu dhṛtātmasu ॥1-165-18॥
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?
arbudeṇa gavāṃ yastvaṃ na dadāsi mamepsitām। svadharmaṃ na prahāsyāmi nayiṣye te balena gām ॥1-165-19॥
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.
vasiṣṭha uvāca॥
Vasiṣṭha said.
balasthaś cāsi rājā ca bāhuvīryaś ca kṣatriyaḥ। yathecchasi tathā kṣipraṃ kuru tvaṃ mā vicāraya ॥1-165-20॥
You are strong, a king, powerful in your arms, and a Kṣatriya; therefore, do quickly as you wish—do not hesitate or deliberate.
gandharva uvāca॥
The gandharva said.
evam-uktas-tadā pārtha viśvāmitro balād-iva। haṃsa-candra-pratīkāśāṃ nandinīṃ tāṃ jahāra gām॥1-165-21॥
O Pārtha, when thus addressed, Viśvāmitra forcibly seized Nandinī, the cow, who was as radiant as a swan and the moon.
kaśādaṇḍapratihatā kālyamānā tatastataḥ। hambhāyamānā kalyāṇī vasiṣṭhasyātha nandinī ॥1-165-22॥
Nandinī, the auspicious cow of Vasiṣṭha, was struck with whips and sticks, driven here and there, and bellowed loudly.
āgamyābhimukhī pārtha tasthau bhagavadunmukhī। bhṛśaṃ ca tāḍyamānāpi na jagāmāśramāttataḥ ॥1-165-23॥
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.
vasiṣṭha uvāca॥
Vasiṣṭha said.
śṛṇomi te ravaṃ bhadre vinadantyāḥ punaḥ punaḥ। balāddhriyasi me nandi kṣamāvān brāhmaṇo hy aham ॥1-165-24॥
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.
gandharva uvāca॥
The gandharva said:
sā tu teṣāṃ balān nandī balānāṃ bharatarṣabha। viśvāmitra-bhaya-udvignā vasiṣṭhaṃ samupāgamat ॥1-165-25॥
But she, delighted by the strength of their armies, O Bharata, being agitated by fear of Viśvāmitra, approached Vasiṣṭha.
gauruvāca॥
Gauru said.
pāṣāṇadaṇḍābhihatāṃ krandantīṃ māmanāthavat। viśvāmitrabalairghorairbhagavankimupekṣase ॥1-165-26॥
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?
gandharva uvāca॥
The gandharva said.
evaṃ tasyāṃ tadā partha dharṣitāyāṃ mahāmuniḥ। na cukṣubhe na dhairyāc ca vicacāla dhṛtavrataḥ ॥1-165-27॥
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.
vasiṣṭha uvāca॥
Vasiṣṭha said.
kṣatriyāṇāṃ balaṃ tejo brāhmaṇānāṃ kṣamā balam। kṣamā māṃ bhajate tasmādgamyatāṃ yadi rocate ॥1-165-28॥
For kṣatriyas, strength is their energy; for brāhmaṇas, forbearance is their strength. Forbearance is with me; therefore, let it be left if you wish.
gauruvāca॥
Gauru said.
kiṁ nu tyaktāsmi bhagavanyadevaṁ māṁ prabhāṣase। atyaktāhaṁ tvayā brahmanna śakyā nayituṁ balāt ॥1-165-29॥
"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."
vasiṣṭha uvāca॥
Vasiṣṭha said.
na tvāṃ tyajāmi kalyāṇi sthīyatāṃ yadi śakyate। dṛḍhena dāmnā baddhvaiṣa vatsaste hriyate balāt ॥1-165-30॥
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.
gandharva uvāca॥
The gandharva said.
sthīyatāmiti tacchrutvā vasiṣṭhasya payasvinī। ūrdhvāñcitaśirogrīvā prababhau ghoradarśanā ॥1-165-31॥
Hearing the command, "Let her stand," the cow of Vasiṣṭha, with her head and neck raised high, appeared, looking fearsome.
krodharaktekṣaṇā sā gaurhambhāravaghanasvanā। viśvāmitrasya tatsainyaṃ vyadrāvayata sarvaśaḥ ॥1-165-32॥
With eyes red with rage, the cow, bellowing thunderously, completely scattered Viśvāmitra's entire army.
kaśāgradanḍābhihatā kālyamānā tatastataḥ। krodhadīptekṣaṇā krodhaṃ bhūya eva samādadhe ॥1-165-33॥
Struck by the tip of a whip, driven here and there, her eyes blazing with anger, she became even more enraged.
āditya iva madhyāhne krodhadīptavapur babhau। aṅgāravarṣaṃ muñcantī muhur vāladhito mahat ॥1-165-34॥
He shone like the midday sun, his form blazing with anger, repeatedly releasing a great shower of embers from his tail.
asṛjat pahlavān pucchāt śakṛtaḥ śabarān śakān | mūtrataś ca asṛjat ca api yavanān krodhamūrcchitā ॥1-165-35॥
Overcome with anger, she created the Pahlavas from the tail, the Śabaras and Śakas from dung, and the Yavanas from urine.
puṇḍrān kirātān dramiḍān siṃhalān barbarāṃs tathā। tathaiva daradān mlecchān phenataḥ sā sasarja ha॥1-165-36॥
She created the Puṇḍras, Kirātas, Draviḍas, Siṃhalas, Barbaras, and likewise the Daradas and Mlecchas from the foam.
tair visṛṣṭair mahat sainyaṃ nānā-mleccha-gaṇais tadā। nānā-āvaraṇa-sañchannair nānā-āyudha-dharais tathā॥ avākīryata saṃrabdhair viśvāmitrasya paśyataḥ॥1-165-37॥
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.
ekaikaś ca tadā yodhaḥ pañcabhiḥ saptabhir vṛtaḥ। astravarṣeṇa mahatā kālyamānaṃ balaṃ tataḥ॥ prabhagnaṃ sarvatas trastaṃ viśvāmitrasya paśyataḥ॥1-165-38॥
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.
na ca prāṇair viyujyanta kecit te sainikās tadā। viśvāmitrasya saṅkruddhair vāsiṣṭhair bharatarṣabha ॥1-165-39॥
O bull among the Bharatas, at that time, none of those soldiers of Viśvāmitra were separated from their lives by the enraged Vasiṣṭhas.
viśvāmitrasya sainyaṃ tu kālyamānaṃ triyojanam। krośamānaṃ bhayodvignaṃ trātāraṃ nādhyagacchata ॥1-165-40॥
But Viśvāmitra's army, driven away for three yojanas, crying out in fear, could not find any protector.
dṛṣṭvā tan-mahad-āścaryaṃ brahma-tejo-bhavaṃ tadā। viśvāmitraḥ kṣatra-bhāvān nirviṇṇaḥ vākyam abravīt ॥1-165-41॥
Upon witnessing that great marvel, the source of Brahmanic radiance, Viśvāmitra, feeling disheartened by his warrior status, spoke these words.
dhigbalaṃ kṣatriyabalaṃ brahmatejobalaṃ balam। balābalaṃ viniścitya tapa eva paraṃ balam ॥1-165-42॥
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.
sa rājyaṃ sphītam utsṛjya tāṃ ca dīptāṃ nṛpa-śriyam। bhogāṃś ca pṛṣṭhataḥ kṛtvā tapasy eva mano dadhe ॥1-165-43॥
He renounced his prosperous kingdom and radiant royal glory, set aside all enjoyments, and devoted his mind solely to austerity.
sa gatvā tapasā siddhiṃ lokān viṣṭabhya tejasā। tatāpa sarvān dīptaujā brāhmaṇatvam avāpa ca॥ apibac ca sutaṃ somam indreṇa saha kauśikaḥ॥1-165-44॥
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.
