The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section 177

Section CLXXVII. *( Chaitra-ratha Parva continued. )* Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing this, Arjuna said, 'O Gandharva whence arose the hostility between Viswamitra and Vashishta both of whom dwelt in a celestial hermittage? O, tell us all about it.' "The Gandharva replied, 'O Partha, the story of Vashishta is regarded as a Purana in all the three worlds. Listen to me as I recite it fully! There was, in Kanyakuvja, O thou bull of the Bharata race, a great king celebrated throughout the world named Gādhi the son of Kushika. And the virtuous Gādhi had a son named Viswamitra—that grinder of all foes—possessing a large army and many animals and vehicles. And Viswāmitra accompanied by his ministers used to roam in quest of deer through deep woods and over picturesque marshes, killing deer and wild boars. And once on a time while out in quest of deer, the king was weak with exertion and thirst. And the monarch arrived in that state at the asylum of Vashista. And the blessed and illustrious Rishi beholding him arrive reverenced with his homage that best of men king Viswamitra. And, O Bharata, the Rishi saluted the monarch by offering him water to wash his feet, and the *Arghya*, and water to wash his face, and wild fruits, and clarified butter. For the illustrious Rishi had a cow yielding everything that was desired of her. And when she was addressed,―*O give*,—she ever yielded the article that was sought. And she yielded various fruits and corn both wild and grown in gardens and fields, and milk, and many excellent nutritive viands filled with the six different kinds of juice and like unto nectar itself, and various other kinds of enjoyable things, O Arjuna, of ambrosial taste, for drinking and eating, and for lapping and sucking, and also many precious gems and robes of various kinds. And with these desirable objects in profusion the monarch was worshipped. And with his ministers and troops the king became highly pleased. And the monarch wondered much beholding that cow with six elevated limbs, and beautiful flanks and hips, and five limbs that were broad, and eyes prominent like those of the frog, and of beautiful size, high udders, faultless make, straight and upraised ears, handsome horns, and well-developed head and neck. "And, O prince, the son of Gādhi, gratified with everything and applauding the cow named Nandini, addressed the Rishi saying—O Brahmana, O great Muni, give me thy Nandini in exchange for ten thousand kine or my kingdom either. Enjoy thou my kingdom (giving me thy cow)!— "'Hearing these words of Viswāmitra, Vashishta said,—O sinless one, this cow hath been kept by me for the sake of the gods, guests, and the *Pitris*, as also for my sacrifices. I cannot give thee this Nandini in exchange for even thy kingdom!—Viswamitra replied,—I am a Kshatriya, but thou art a Brahmana devoted to asceticism and study. Is there any energy in Brahmanas who are peaceful and who have their souls under perfect command? When thou givest me not what I desire, in exchange even for ten thousand kine, I will not abandon the practices of my order. I will take thy cow even by force!—Vashishta said,―Thou art a Kshatriya endued with might of arms! Thou art a powerful monarch! O do in haste what thou desirest, and stop not to consider its propriety.'— "The Gandharva continued, 'Thus addressed by Vashishta, Viswāmitra, O Partha, then forcibly seized Naudini—that cow (white) as the swan or the moon—and attempted to take her away, afflicting her with stripes and persecuting her otherwise. The innocent Nandini then began, O Partha, to low piteously, and approaching the illustrious Vashishta stood before him with uplifted face. And though persecuted very cruelly she refused to leave the Rishi's asylum. "'Beholding her in that plight, Vashishta said,—O amiable one, thou art lowing repeatedly and I hear thy cries! But, O Nandini, even Viswamitra is taking thee away by force What can I do in this matter! I am a forgiving Brahmana!—' "The Gandharva continued, 'Then, O thou bull of the Bharata race, Nandini, terrified at sight of Viswamitra's troops and alarmed by Viswamitrā himself, approached the Rishi still closer. And she said,—O illustrious one, why art thou so indifferent to my poor self afflicted with the stripes of the cruel troops of Viswāmitra and crying so piteously as if I am masterless?—Hearing even these words of the crying and persecuted Nandini, the great Rishi lost not his patience nor departed from his vow of forgiveness. And he replied,—The Kshatriya's might lay in personal prowess, the Brahmana's in forgiveness. And because I cannot cast off forgiveness, go thou, O Nandini, if thou choosest!—Nandini answered,—'Castest me away, O illustrious one, that thou sayest so? If thou dost not cast me off, I cannot, O Brahmana, be taken away by force.—Vashishta said,—O lucky one, I do not cast thee off! Stay, if thou canst! O yonder is thy calf, tied with a stout cord, and even now being weakened by it!—' "The Gandharva continued, 'Then that cow of Vashishta, hearing the word *Stay*, raising her head and neck upwards, became terrible to behold. With eyes red in anger and lowing repeatedly, that cow then attacked Viswāmitra's troops on all sides. Afflicted with their stripes and running hither and thither with those red eyes of hers, her wrath increased. Blazing with anger, she soon became terrible to behold like unto the Sun in his mid-day glory. And from her tail she began to rain showers of burning coals all around. And some moments after, from her tail she brought forth an army of Palhavas; and from her udders, of Dravidas and Shakas; and from her womb, of Yavanas; and from her dung, of Shavaras; and from her urine, of Kanchis, and from her sides, of Shavaras again. And from the froth of her mouth came out hosts of Paundras and Kiratas, Yavanas and Singhalas, and the barbarous tribes of Khasas and Chivukas and Pulindas and Chins and Huns with Keralas, and numerous other Mlechchas. And that vast army of Mlechchas in various uniforms and armed with various weapons, as soon as it sprang into life, deploying in the very sight of Viswāmitra, attacked that monarch's soldiers. And so numerous was the Mlechcha host that each particular soldier of Viswamitra was attacked by bands of five or seven of their enemies. And assailed with a mighty shower of weapons, Viswamitra's troops broke and fled panic-sticken in all directions, in his very sight. But, bull of the Bharata race, the troops of Vashishta, though excited with wrath, took not the life of any of Viswamitra's troops. Nandini simply caused the monarch's army to be routed and driven off. And driven (from the asylum) full twenty-seven miles, panic-stricken they shrieked aloud and beheld not any one who could protect them. And Viswamitra beholding this wonderful feat which resulted from Brahmana prowess, became disgusted with Kshatriya prowess and said,—O fie on Kshatriya prowess! Brahma prowess is true prowess! In judging of strength and weakness, I see that asceticism is true strength.—And saying this, the monarch, abandoning his large domains and regal splendour and turning his back upon all pleasures, set his mind on asceticism. And crowned with success in asceticism and filling the three worlds with the heat of his ascetic penances, he afflicted all creatures and finally became a Brahmana. And the son of Kushika at last drank *Soma* with Indra himself (in the heavens).'" Thus ends the hundred and seventy-seventh Section in the Chaitra-ratha of the Adi Parva.