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Library: Story of Vashishtha and Vishwamitra.
Arjuna said.
Please tell us in full for what reason enmity arose between Viśvāmitra and Vasiṣṭha while they were dwelling in the holy hermitage.
The gandharva said.
This is the ancient narrative of Vasiṣṭha, as declared. O Pārtha, know that from me as it truly is, in all worlds.
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.
His son, Viśvāmitra, who was righteous-souled and endowed with great strength, became renowned as the destroyer of enemies.
He, along with his ministers, roamed the dense forest hunting, shooting deer and boars in the beautiful sandy plains.
O best of men, exhausted from exertion, desiring to hunt and thirsty, he then came to the hermitage of Vasiṣṭha.
When he saw Viśvāmitra arrive, Vasiṣṭha, the foremost sage, welcomed the best of men with due honor.
O Bhārata, he accepted the offerings of water for washing feet, respect, sipping water, and welcome, and likewise accepted the forest produce and oblation.
Then, the wish-fulfilling cow of the great sage Vasiṣṭha, when addressed to grant desires, fulfilled those desires.
Domestic and wild herbs yielded milk, the six tastes, nectar-like essence, and an unsurpassed elixir.
O Arjuna, there are various kinds of foods to be eaten, drunk, chewed, licked like nectar, and sucked.
Honored with all his desires fulfilled by them, the king, together with his ministers and army, was greatly satisfied.
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.
He, astonished, looked at her—she had beautiful shoulders, conch-shaped ears, lovely horns, was charming, and had a strong, long head and neck.
He welcomed Nandī, the milk-rich cow of Vasiṣṭha. Then, greatly pleased, Viśvāmitra spoke to the sage.
O Brahman, whether by ten million cows or by my kingdom again, please give Nandinī and enjoy the kingdom, O great sage.
Vasiṣṭha said.
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 said.
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?
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 said.
You are strong, a king, powerful in your arms, and a Kṣatriya; therefore, do quickly as you wish—do not hesitate or deliberate.
The gandharva said.
O Pārtha, when thus addressed, Viśvāmitra forcibly seized Nandinī, the cow, who was as radiant as a swan and the moon.
Nandinī, the auspicious cow of Vasiṣṭha, was struck with whips and sticks, driven here and there, and bellowed loudly.
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 said.
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.
The gandharva said:
But she, delighted by the strength of their armies, O Bharata, being agitated by fear of Viśvāmitra, approached Vasiṣṭha.
Gauru said.
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?
The gandharva said.
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 said.
For kṣatriyas, strength is their energy; for brāhmaṇas, forbearance is their strength. Forbearance is with me; therefore, let it be left if you wish.
Gauru said.
"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 said.
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.
The gandharva said.
Hearing the command, "Let her stand," the cow of Vasiṣṭha, with her head and neck raised high, appeared, looking fearsome.
With eyes red with rage, the cow, bellowing thunderously, completely scattered Viśvāmitra's entire army.
Struck by the tip of a whip, driven here and there, her eyes blazing with anger, she became even more enraged.
He shone like the midday sun, his form blazing with anger, repeatedly releasing a great shower of embers from his tail.
Overcome with anger, she created the Pahlavas from the tail, the Śabaras and Śakas from dung, and the Yavanas from urine.
She created the Puṇḍras, Kirātas, Draviḍas, Siṃhalas, Barbaras, and likewise the Daradas and Mlecchas from the foam.
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.
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.
O bull among the Bharatas, at that time, none of those soldiers of Viśvāmitra were separated from their lives by the enraged Vasiṣṭhas.
But Viśvāmitra's army, driven away for three yojanas, crying out in fear, could not find any protector.
Upon witnessing that great marvel, the source of Brahmanic radiance, Viśvāmitra, feeling disheartened by his warrior status, spoke these words.
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.
He renounced his prosperous kingdom and radiant royal glory, set aside all enjoyments, and devoted his mind solely to austerity.
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.
