Vasishtha's Cow and the Defeat of Vishvamitra

Verse 1 (1.191.1)

किंनिमित्तमभूद्वैरं विश्वामित्रवसिष्ठयोः । वसतोराश्रमे दिव्ये शंस नः सर्वमेव तत् ॥

kiṃnimittamabhūdvairaṃ viśvāmitravasiṣṭhayoḥ | vasatorāśrame divye śaṃsa naḥ sarvameva tat

What was the cause of the enmity between Vishvamitra and Vasishtha, both of whom lived in divine hermitages? Tell us all of it.

Verse 2 (1.191.2)

इदं वासिष्ठमाख्यानं पुराणं परिचक्षते । पार्थ सर्वेषु लोकेषु यथावत्तन्निबोध मे ॥

idaṃ vāsiṣṭhamākhyānaṃ purāṇaṃ paricakṣate | pārtha sarveṣu lokeṣu yathāvattannibodha me

This tale of Vasishtha is called ancient in all the worlds, Partha. Hear it from me just as it happened.

Verse 3 (1.191.3)

कान्यकुब्जे महानासीत्पार्थिवो भरतर्षभ । गाधीति विश्रुतो लोके कुशिकस्यात्मसंभवः ॥

kānyakubje mahānāsītpārthivo bharatarṣabha | gādhīti viśruto loke kuśikasyātmasaṃbhavaḥ

In Kanyakubja, O best of the Bharatas, there was a great king named Gadhi, famed in the world, the son of Kushika.

Note on the text: The second line differs from the critical edition, which reads satyadharmaparāyaṇaḥ for कुशिकस्यात्मसंभवः.

Verse 4 (1.191.4)

तस्य धर्मात्मनः पुत्रः समृद्धबलवाहनः । विश्वामित्र इति ख्यातो बभूव रिपुमर्दनः ॥

tasya dharmātmanaḥ putraḥ samṛddhabalavāhanaḥ | viśvāmitra iti khyāto babhūva ripumardanaḥ

That righteous king had a son, famed as Vishvamitra, rich in troops and mounts, a crusher of foes.

Note on the text: Corrected ख्यतो → ख्यातो (misprint in Wikisource; dropped vowel sign ा, as in the critical edition's khyāto).

Verse 5 (1.191.5)

स चचार सहामात्यो मृगयां गहने वने । मृगान्विध्यन्वराहांश्च रम्येषु मरुधन्वसु ॥

sa cacāra sahāmātyo mṛgayāṃ gahane vane | mṛgānvidhyanvarāhāṃśca ramyeṣu marudhanvasu

With his ministers he went hunting in a dense forest, shooting deer and boars in the pleasant desert country.

Verse 6 (1.191.6)

व्यायामकर्शितः सोऽथ मृगलिप्सुः पिपासितः । आजगाम नरश्रेष्ठ वसिष्ठस्याश्रमं प्रति ॥

vyāyāmakarśitaḥ so'tha mṛgalipsuḥ pipāsitaḥ | ājagāma naraśreṣṭha vasiṣṭhasyāśramaṃ prati

Worn out by the exertion, still eager for game and thirsty, he came, O best of men, to Vasishtha's hermitage.

Verse 7 (1.191.7)

तमागतमभिप्रेक्ष्य वसिष्ठः श्रेष्ठभागृषिः । विश्वामित्रं नरश्रेष्ठं प्रतिजग्राह पूजया ॥

tamāgatamabhiprekṣya vasiṣṭhaḥ śreṣṭhabhāgṛṣiḥ | viśvāmitraṃ naraśreṣṭhaṃ pratijagrāha pūjayā

Seeing him arrive, the seer Vasishtha, who receives the highest honour, welcomed Vishvamitra, best of men, with worship.

Verse 8 (1.191.8)

पाद्यार्घ्याचमनीयैस्तं स्वागतेन च भारत । तथैव परिजग्राह वन्येन हविषा तदा ॥

pādyārghyācamanīyaistaṃ svāgatena ca bhārata | tathaiva parijagrāha vanyena haviṣā tadā

He honoured him, O Bharata, with water for his feet, the guest-offering and water for sipping, and with words of welcome, and he entertained him too with the forest fare fit for offerings.

Note on the text: Corrected पाद्यार्घ्याचमनीचैस्तं → पाद्यार्घ्याचमनीयैस्तं (misprint in Wikisource; च for य in आचमनीय, "water for sipping" — the critical edition reads pādyārghyācamanīyena). The rest of the verse differs slightly from the critical edition (परिजग्राह, तदा for pratijagrāha, tathā).

Verse 9 (1.191.9)

तस्याथ कामधुग्धेनुर्वसिष्ठस्य महात्मनः । उक्ता कामान्प्रयच्छेति सा कामान्दुदुहे ततः ॥

tasyātha kāmadhugdhenurvasiṣṭhasya mahātmanaḥ | uktā kāmānprayaccheti sā kāmānduduhe tataḥ

Now the great-souled Vasishtha had a wish-granting cow. When she was told, "Give what is wished for," she yielded every wish.

Verse 10 (1.191.10)

बाष्पाढ्यस्योदनस्यैव राशयः पर्वतोपमाः । निष्ठानानि च सूपांश्च दधिकुल्यास्तथैव च ॥

bāṣpāḍhyasyodanasyaiva rāśayaḥ parvatopamāḥ | niṣṭhānāni ca sūpāṃśca dadhikulyāstathaiva ca

Heaps of steaming rice as high as mountains, relishes and soups, and channels of curd as well;

Note on the text: Removed a stray wiki mark (backtick) that opens a bracketed passage in Wikisource. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition gives it only in its apparatus (1.165.9*1753, lines 1–2).

Verse 11 (1.191.11)

कूपांश्च घृतसंपूर्णान्गौड्यान्नानि सहस्रशः । इक्षून्मधूनि लाजांश्च मैरेयांश्च वरासवान् ॥

kūpāṃśca ghṛtasaṃpūrṇāngauḍyānnāni sahasraśaḥ | ikṣūnmadhūni lājāṃśca maireyāṃśca varāsavān

wells full of ghee, sweets of molasses by the thousand, sugarcane, honey, parched grain, maireya liquor and fine spirits.

Note on the text: Removed stray wiki marks (a doubled danda and a closing quote mark). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition's apparatus (1.165.9*1753, lines 3 and 5) has a similar text.

Verse 12 (1.191.12)

ग्राम्यारण्याश्चौषधीश्च दुदुहे पय एव च । षड्रसं चामृतनिभं रसायनमनुत्तमम् ॥

grāmyāraṇyāścauṣadhīśca duduhe paya eva ca | ṣaḍrasaṃ cāmṛtanibhaṃ rasāyanamanuttamam

She yielded herbs of village and forest, and milk too, and a matchless elixir of six flavours, like nectar.

Verse 13 (1.191.13)

भोजनीयानि पेयानि भक्ष्याणि विविधानि च । लेह्यान्यमृतकल्पानि चोष्याणि च तथार्जुन ॥

bhojanīyāni peyāni bhakṣyāṇi vividhāni ca | lehyānyamṛtakalpāni coṣyāṇi ca tathārjuna

Foods to eat, drinks and many kinds of dishes, things to lick that were like nectar and things to suck as well, Arjuna;

Note on the text: Corrected तथार्जुना → तथार्जुन (misprint in Wikisource; the vocative is अर्जुन, as in the critical edition's tathārjuna).

Verse 14 (1.191.14)

रत्नानि च महार्हाणि वासांसि विविधानि च । तैः कामैः सर्वसंपूर्णैः पूजितश्च महीपतिः ॥

ratnāni ca mahārhāṇi vāsāṃsi vividhāni ca | taiḥ kāmaiḥ sarvasaṃpūrṇaiḥ pūjitaśca mahīpatiḥ

precious gems too, and garments of many kinds. Honoured with all these riches, complete in every way, the lord of the earth,

Note on the text: Corrected महिपतिः → महीपतिः (misprint in Wikisource; short for long i, as in the critical edition's mahīpatiḥ). The first line is in the critical edition's apparatus (1.165.11*1754); the second = 1.165.12ab (पूजितश्च for pūjitaḥ sa).

Verse 15 (1.191.15)

सामात्यः सबलश्चैव तुतोष स भृशं तदा । षडुन्नतां सुपार्श्वोरुं पृथुपञ्चसमावृताम् ॥

sāmātyaḥ sabalaścaiva tutoṣa sa bhṛśaṃ tadā | ṣaḍunnatāṃ supārśvoruṃ pṛthupañcasamāvṛtām

with his ministers and his army, was greatly pleased. The cow stood high at six points, with fine flanks and thighs, broad in five parts and well rounded,

Note on the text: The first line = 1.165.12cd of the critical edition; the second is a variant of 1.165.13ab.

Verse 16 (1.191.16)

मण्डूकनेत्रां स्वाकारां पीनोधसमनिन्दिताम् । सुवालधिं शङ्कुकर्णां चारुशृङ्गां मनोरमाम् ॥

maṇḍūkanetrāṃ svākārāṃ pīnodhasamaninditām | suvāladhiṃ śaṅkukarṇāṃ cāruśṛṅgāṃ manoramām

with eyes like a frog's, shapely, full-uddered and flawless, with a fine tail, pointed ears and lovely horns, a delight to see;

Note on the text: Corrected सुवालघिं → सुवालधिं (misprint in Wikisource; घ for ध — वालधि, "tail", as in the critical edition's suvāladhiṃ). Lines = 1.165.13cd and 14ab.

Verse 17 (1.191.17)

पुष्टायतशिरोग्रीवां विस्मितः सोऽभिवीक्ष्य ताम् । अभिनन्द्य स तां राजा नन्दिनीं गाधिनन्दनः ॥

puṣṭāyataśirogrīvāṃ vismitaḥ so'bhivīkṣya tām | abhinandya sa tāṃ rājā nandinīṃ gādhinandanaḥ

her head and neck were full and long. Gazing at her in wonder, the king, son of Gadhi, praised that cow Nandini,

Note on the text: Separated सोऽभिवीक्ष्यताम् → सोऽभिवीक्ष्य ताम् (word division in Wikisource; "having gazed at her", as in the critical edition's so 'bhivīkṣya tām). The first line = 1.165.14cd; the second is a variant of 1.165.15ab.

Verse 18 (1.191.18)

अब्रवीच्च भृशं तुष्टः स राजा तमृषिं तदा । अर्बुदेन गवां ब्रह्मन्मम राज्येन वा पुनः ॥

abravīcca bhṛśaṃ tuṣṭaḥ sa rājā tamṛṣiṃ tadā | arbudena gavāṃ brahmanmama rājyena vā punaḥ

and, greatly pleased, the king said to the seer: "Brahmin, for a hundred million cows, or for my kingdom,

Note on the text: The first line is a variant of 1.165.15cd of the critical edition; the second = 1.165.16ab.

Verse 19 (1.191.19)

नन्दिनीं संप्रयच्छस्व भुङ्क्ष्व राज्यं महामुने । देवतातिथिपित्रर्थं याज्यार्थं च पयस्विनी ॥

nandinīṃ saṃprayacchasva bhuṅkṣva rājyaṃ mahāmune | devatātithipitrarthaṃ yājyārthaṃ ca payasvinī

give me Nandini, great sage, and enjoy my kingdom." Vasishtha said: "This milch cow is kept for the gods, for guests and ancestors, and for sacrifices;

Note on the text: Speaker changed from गन्धर्व to विश्वामित्र: the first line ends Vishvamitra's request, begun in the verse before. Wikisource prints the speaker line वसिष्ठ उवाच between the two lines of this verse; the verse is kept with Vishvamitra, who speaks its first line. Lines = 1.165.16cd and 17ab of the critical edition (याज्यार्थं for ājyārthaṃ).

Verse 20 (1.191.20)

अदेया नन्दिनीयं वै राज्येनापि तवानघ । रत्नं हि भगवन्नेतद्रत्नहारी च पार्थिवः । क्षत्रियोऽहं भवान्विप्रस्तपःस्वाध्यायसाधनः ॥

adeyā nandinīyaṃ vai rājyenāpi tavānagha | ratnaṃ hi bhagavannetadratnahārī ca pārthivaḥ | kṣatriyo'haṃ bhavānviprastapaḥsvādhyāyasādhanaḥ

Nandini is not to be given, sinless one, even for your kingdom." Vishvamitra said: "Blessed one, this cow is a jewel, and it is the king who takes jewels. I am a kshatriya; you are a brahmin, whose means are austerity and Vedic study.

Note on the text: Removed stray wiki marks (backtick, quote mark and a doubled danda) around the second line. Wikisource prints the speaker line विश्वामित्र उवाच between the first and second lines; the verse is kept with Vasishtha, who speaks its first line. The first line = 1.165.17cd of the critical edition; the second is in its apparatus (1.165.18d*1757); the third = 1.165.18ab.

Verse 21 (1.191.21)

ब्राह्मणेषु कुतो वीर्यं प्रशान्तेषु धृतात्मसु । अर्बुदेन गवां यस्त्वं न ददासि ममेप्सितम् ॥

brāhmaṇeṣu kuto vīryaṃ praśānteṣu dhṛtātmasu | arbudena gavāṃ yastvaṃ na dadāsi mamepsitam

Where is might among brahmins, who are peaceful and self-controlled? Since you will not give me what I want even for a hundred million cows,

Note on the text: Corrected ब्राह्णेषु → ब्राह्मणेषु (misprint in Wikisource; dropped म, as in the critical edition's brāhmaṇeṣu). Lines = 1.165.18cd and 19ab.

Verse 22 (1.191.22)

स्वधर्मं न प्रहास्यामि नेष्यामि च बलेन गाम् । बलस्थश्चासि राजा च बाहुवीर्यश्च क्षत्रियः ॥

svadharmaṃ na prahāsyāmi neṣyāmi ca balena gām | balasthaścāsi rājā ca bāhuvīryaśca kṣatriyaḥ

I will not abandon my own duty: I will take the cow by force." Vasishtha said: "You stand on your strength; you are a king, and a kshatriya whose might is in his arms.

Note on the text: Wikisource prints the speaker line वसिष्ठ उवाच between the two lines of this verse; the verse is kept with Vishvamitra, who speaks its first line. Lines = 1.165.19cd (नेष्यामि च for nayiṣye te) and 20ab of the critical edition.

Verse 23 (1.191.23)

यथेच्छसि तथा क्षिप्रं कुरु मा त्वं विचारय । एवमुक्तस्तथा पार्थ विश्वामित्रो बलादिव ॥

yathecchasi tathā kṣipraṃ kuru mā tvaṃ vicāraya | evamuktastathā pārtha viśvāmitro balādiva

Do quickly whatever you wish; do not hesitate." The Gandharva said: Thus addressed, Partha, Vishvamitra, by force as it were,

Note on the text: Wikisource prints the speaker line गन्धर्व उवाच between the two lines of this verse; the verse is kept with Vasishtha, who speaks its first line. Lines = 1.165.20cd and 21ab of the critical edition.

Verse 24 (1.191.24)

हंसचन्द्रप्रतीकाशां नन्दिनीं तां जहार गाम् । सा तदा ह्रियमाणा च विश्वामित्रबलैर्बलात् । कशादण्डप्रणुदिता काल्यमाना इतस्ततः ॥

haṃsacandrapratīkāśāṃ nandinīṃ tāṃ jahāra gām | sā tadā hriyamāṇā ca viśvāmitrabalairbalāt | kaśādaṇḍapraṇuditā kālyamānā itastataḥ

carried off that cow Nandini, white as a swan or the moon. As she was dragged away by force by Vishvamitra's troops, driven with whips and sticks and hustled this way and that,

Note on the text: Removed stray wiki marks (backtick, quote mark and a doubled danda) around the second line. A three-line verse as printed: the first line = 1.165.21cd of the critical edition; the second is in its apparatus (1.165.21d*1761); the third is a variant of 1.165.22ab.

Verse 25 (1.191.25)

हंभायमाना कल्याणी वसिष्ठस्याथ नन्दिनी । आगम्याभिमुखी पार्थ तस्थौ भगवदुन्मुखी ॥

haṃbhāyamānā kalyāṇī vasiṣṭhasyātha nandinī | āgamyābhimukhī pārtha tasthau bhagavadunmukhī

Vasishtha's gentle Nandini, lowing, came back, Partha, and stood before the blessed sage with her face turned up to him.

Note on the text: Lines = 1.165.22cd and 23ab of the critical edition.

Verse 26 (1.191.26)

भृशं च ताड्यमाना वै न जगामाश्रमात्ततः । शृणोमि ते रवं भद्रे विनदन्त्याः पुनः पुनः ॥

bhṛśaṃ ca tāḍyamānā vai na jagāmāśramāttataḥ | śṛṇomi te ravaṃ bhadre vinadantyāḥ punaḥ punaḥ

Though she was beaten hard, she would not leave the hermitage. Vasishtha said: "I hear your cries, good one, as you low again and again.

Note on the text: Wikisource prints the speaker line वसिष्ठ उवाच between the two lines of this verse; the verse is kept with the narrator, who speaks its first line. Lines = 1.165.23cd and 24ab of the critical edition.

Verse 27 (1.191.27)

ह्रियसे त्वं बलाद्भद्रे विश्वामित्रेण नन्दिनि । किं कर्तव्यं मया तत्र क्षमावान्ब्राह्मणो ह्यहम् ॥

hriyase tvaṃ balādbhadre viśvāmitreṇa nandini | kiṃ kartavyaṃ mayā tatra kṣamāvānbrāhmaṇo hyaham

"You are being carried off by force by Vishvamitra, Nandini, good one. What can I do about it? I am a brahmin, and forbearing."

Note on the text: Corresponds to 1.165.24cd of the critical edition expanded by a line of its apparatus (1.165.24c*1764: viśvāmitreṇa nandini, kiṃ kartavyaṃ mayā tatra).

Verse 28 (1.191.28)

सा भयान्नन्दिनी तेषां बलानां भरतर्षभ । विश्वामित्रभयोद्विग्ना वसिष्ठं समुपागमत् ॥

sā bhayānnandinī teṣāṃ balānāṃ bharatarṣabha | viśvāmitrabhayodvignā vasiṣṭhaṃ samupāgamat

Then Nandini, O best of the Bharatas, frightened of those troops and shaken with fear of Vishvamitra, came close to Vasishtha.

Verse 29 (1.191.29)

कशाग्रदण्डाभिहतां क्रोशन्तीं मामनाथवत् । विश्वामित्रबलैर्घोरैर्भगवन् किमुपेक्षसे ॥

kaśāgradaṇḍābhihatāṃ krośantīṃ māmanāthavat | viśvāmitrabalairghorairbhagavan kimupekṣase

I am struck with whips and sticks by Vishvamitra's fierce troops, and I cry out as if I had no protector. Blessed one, why do you stand by and do nothing?

Verse 30 (1.191.30)

एवं तस्यां तदा पार्थ धर्षितायां महामुनिः । न चुक्षुभे तदा धैर्यान्न चचाल धृतव्रतः ॥

evaṃ tasyāṃ tadā pārtha dharṣitāyāṃ mahāmuniḥ | na cukṣubhe tadā dhairyānna cacāla dhṛtavrataḥ

Though she was so abused, Partha, the great sage was not shaken; firm in his vows, he did not stir from his composure.

Verse 31 (1.191.31)

क्षत्रियाणां बलं तेजो ब्राह्मणानां क्षमा बलम् । क्षमा मां भजते यस्माद्गम्यतां यदि रोचते ॥

kṣatriyāṇāṃ balaṃ tejo brāhmaṇānāṃ kṣamā balam | kṣamā māṃ bhajate yasmādgamyatāṃ yadi rocate

The strength of kshatriyas is their fiery might; the strength of brahmins is forbearance. Since forbearance holds me, go if you wish.

Verse 32 (1.191.32)

किं नु त्यक्ताऽस्मि भगवन्यदेवं त्वं प्रभाषसे । अत्यक्ताऽहं त्वया ब्रह्मन्नेतुं शक्या न वै बलात् ॥

kiṃ nu tyaktā'smi bhagavanyadevaṃ tvaṃ prabhāṣase | atyaktā'haṃ tvayā brahmannetuṃ śakyā na vai balāt

Have I been abandoned, blessed one, that you speak this way? If you have not abandoned me, brahmin, I cannot be taken away by force.

Verse 33 (1.191.33)

न त्वां त्यजामि कल्याणि स्थीयतां यदि शक्यते । दृढेन दाम्ना बद्ध्वैष वत्सस्ते ह्रियते बलात् ॥

na tvāṃ tyajāmi kalyāṇi sthīyatāṃ yadi śakyate | dṛḍhena dāmnā baddhvaiṣa vatsaste hriyate balāt

I do not abandon you, good one. Stay, if you can. Look, your calf is being dragged away by force, tied with a strong rope.

Note on the text: Corrected हियते → ह्रियते (misprint in Wikisource; dropped र — "is being carried off", as in the critical edition's hriyate).

Verse 34 (1.191.34)

स्थीयतामिति तच्छ्रुत्वा वसिष्ठस्य पयस्विनी । ऊर्ध्वाञ्चितशिरोग्रीवा प्रबभौ रौद्रदर्शना ॥

sthīyatāmiti tacchrutvā vasiṣṭhasya payasvinī | ūrdhvāñcitaśirogrīvā prababhau raudradarśanā

Hearing Vasishtha say "Stay," the milch cow raised her head and neck high and became terrible to look upon.

Verse 35 (1.191.35)

क्रोधरक्तेक्षणा सा गौर्हंभारवघनस्वना । विश्वामित्रस्य तत्सैन्यं व्यद्रावयत सर्वशः ॥

krodharaktekṣaṇā sā gaurhaṃbhāravaghanasvanā | viśvāmitrasya tatsainyaṃ vyadrāvayata sarvaśaḥ

Her eyes red with anger, bellowing deep and loud, the cow put Vishvamitra's army to flight on every side.

Verse 36 (1.191.36)

कशाग्रदण्डाभिहता काल्यमाना ततस्ततः । क्रोधरक्तेक्षणा क्रोधं भूय एव समाददे ॥

kaśāgradaṇḍābhihatā kālyamānā tatastataḥ | krodharaktekṣaṇā krodhaṃ bhūya eva samādade

Struck with whips and sticks and hustled here and there, red-eyed with fury, she gathered her anger once more.

Verse 37 (1.191.37)

आदित्य इव मध्याह्ने क्रोधदीप्तवपुर्बभौ । अङ्गारवर्षं मुञ्चन्ती मुहुर्वालधितो महत् ॥

āditya iva madhyāhne krodhadīptavapurbabhau | aṅgāravarṣaṃ muñcantī muhurvāladhito mahat

Her body ablaze with rage, she shone like the sun at midday, pouring a great shower of embers from her tail again and again.

Verse 38 (1.191.38)

असृजत्पह्लवान्पुच्छात्प्रस्रवाद्द्राविडाञ्छकान् । योनिदेशाच्च यवनाञ्शकृतः शबरान्बहून् ॥

asṛjatpahlavānpucchātprasravāddrāviḍāñchakān | yonideśācca yavanāñśakṛtaḥ śabarānbahūn

From her tail she brought forth Pahlavas; from her flowing milk, Dravidas and Shakas; from her womb, Yavanas; and from her dung, many Shabaras.

Note on the text: Corrected यवानाञ् → यवनाञ् (misprint in Wikisource; यवनान्, "the Yavanas", as in the critical edition's apparatus, 1.165.35b*1768, yavanāñ). The first line is a variant of 1.165.35ab of the critical edition; the second is close to its apparatus line *1768.

Verse 39 (1.191.39)

मूत्रतश्चासृजत्कांश्चिच्छबरांश्चैव पार्श्वतः । पौण्ड्रान्किरातान्यवनान्सिंहलान्बर्बरान्खसान् ॥

mūtrataścāsṛjatkāṃścicchabarāṃścaiva pārśvataḥ | pauṇḍrānkirātānyavanānsiṃhalānbarbarānkhasān

From her urine she brought forth some, and Shabaras from her flanks; and Paundras, Kiratas, Yavanas, Simhalas, Barbaras and Khasas;

Note on the text: The first line is a variant of 1.165.35c of the critical edition, completed by a line of its apparatus (*1769: barbarāṃś caiva pārśvataḥ); the second is a variant of 1.165.36ab.

Verse 40 (1.191.40)

चिबुकांश्च पुलिन्दांश्च चीनान्हूणान्सकेरलान् । ससर्ज फेनतः सा गौर्म्लेच्छान्बहुविधानपि ॥

cibukāṃśca pulindāṃśca cīnānhūṇānsakeralān | sasarja phenataḥ sā gaurmlecchānbahuvidhānapi

Chibukas, Pulindas, Chinas, Hunas and Keralas. From her foam that cow brought forth Mlecchas of many kinds.

Note on the text: The first line is in the critical edition's apparatus (1.165.36b*1770); the second is a variant of 1.165.36cd.

Verse 41 (1.191.41)

तैर्विसृष्टैर्महासैन्यैर्नानाम्लेच्छगणैस्तदा । नानावरणसंछन्नैर्नानायुधधरैस्तथा ॥

tairvisṛṣṭairmahāsainyairnānāmlecchagaṇaistadā | nānāvaraṇasaṃchannairnānāyudhadharaistathā

With those great hosts that she brought forth, the many bands of Mlecchas, clad in every kind of armour and bearing every kind of weapon,

Note on the text: Lines = 1.165.37ab–cd of the critical edition (महासैन्यैः for mahat sainyaṃ).

Verse 42 (1.191.42)

अवाकीर्यत संरब्धैर्विश्वामित्रस्य पश्यतः । एकैकश्च तदा योधः पञ्चभिः सप्तभिर्वृतः ॥

avākīryata saṃrabdhairviśvāmitrasya paśyataḥ | ekaikaśca tadā yodhaḥ pañcabhiḥ saptabhirvṛtaḥ

furious as they were, Vishvamitra's army was overrun while he looked on; each one of his warriors was surrounded by five or seven.

Note on the text: Lines = 1.165.37ef and 38ab of the critical edition.

Verse 43 (1.191.43)

अस्त्रवर्षेण महता वध्यमानं बलं तदा । प्रभग्नं सर्वतस्त्रस्तं विश्वामित्रस्य पश्यतः ॥

astravarṣeṇa mahatā vadhyamānaṃ balaṃ tadā | prabhagnaṃ sarvatastrastaṃ viśvāmitrasya paśyataḥ

Struck by a great shower of weapons, his army broke and fled in terror on every side while Vishvamitra looked on.

Note on the text: Lines = 1.165.38cd–ef of the critical edition (वध्यमानं … तदा for kālyamānaṃ … tataḥ).

Verse 44 (1.191.44)

तस्य तच्चतुरङ्गं वै बलं परमदुःसहम् । प्रभग्नं सर्वतो घोरं पयस्विन्या विनिर्जितम् ॥

tasya taccaturaṅgaṃ vai balaṃ paramaduḥsaham | prabhagnaṃ sarvato ghoraṃ payasvinyā vinirjitam

That fourfold army of his, so hard to withstand and so fearsome, was broken on every side and vanquished by the milch cow.

Note on the text: Removed stray wiki marks (backtick, doubled danda and a closing quote mark). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition gives it only in its apparatus (1.165.38f*1771, which reads vivarjitam).

Verse 45 (1.191.45)

न च प्राणैर्वियुज्यन्ते केचित्तत्रास्य सैनिकाः । विश्वामित्रस्य संक्रुद्धैर्वासिष्ठैर्भरतर्षभ ॥

na ca prāṇairviyujyante kecittatrāsya sainikāḥ | viśvāmitrasya saṃkruddhairvāsiṣṭhairbharatarṣabha

Yet not one of Vishvamitra's soldiers there lost his life to Vasishtha's angry warriors, O best of the Bharatas.

Verse 46 (1.191.46)

सा गौस्तत्सकलं सैन्यं कालयामास दूरतः । विश्वामित्रस्य तत्सैन्यं काल्यमानं त्रियोजनम् ॥

sā gaustatsakalaṃ sainyaṃ kālayāmāsa dūrataḥ | viśvāmitrasya tatsainyaṃ kālyamānaṃ triyojanam

The cow drove that whole army far away. Driven for three yojanas,

Note on the text: The first line is in the critical edition's apparatus (1.165.39d*1772); the second is a variant of 1.165.40ab.

Verse 47 (1.191.47)

क्रोशमानं भयोद्विग्नं त्रातारं नाध्यगच्छत । विश्वामित्रस्ततो दृष्ट्वा क्रोधाविष्टः स रोदसी ॥

krośamānaṃ bhayodvignaṃ trātāraṃ nādhyagacchata | viśvāmitrastato dṛṣṭvā krodhāviṣṭaḥ sa rodasī

Vishvamitra's army, crying out and shaken with fear, found no one to protect it. Then Vishvamitra, seeing this, seized with rage, filling heaven and earth,

Note on the text: Removed a stray wiki mark (backtick) that opens a bracketed passage in Wikisource. The first line = 1.165.40cd of the critical edition; the second begins a passage, running to the end of verse 56, that is not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension; the critical edition carries it in Appendix I.97, lines 1–19).

Verse 48 (1.191.48)

ववर्ष शरवर्षाणि वसिष्ठे मुनिसत्तमे । घोररूपांश्च नाराचान्क्षुरान्भल्लान्महामुनिः ॥

vavarṣa śaravarṣāṇi vasiṣṭhe munisattame | ghorarūpāṃśca nārācānkṣurānbhallānmahāmuniḥ

rained showers of arrows on Vasishtha, best of sages: dreadful iron shafts and razor-headed and broad-headed arrows. But the great sage

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); Appendix I.97, lines 2–3.

Verse 49 (1.191.49)

विश्वामित्रप्रयुक्तांस्तान्वैणवेन व्यमोचयत् । वसिष्ठस्य तदा दृष्ट्वा कर्मकौशलमाहवे ॥

viśvāmitraprayuktāṃstānvaiṇavena vyamocayat | vasiṣṭhasya tadā dṛṣṭvā karmakauśalamāhave

turned aside with his bamboo staff the shafts that Vishvamitra loosed. Seeing Vasishtha's skill in that combat,

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); Appendix I.97, lines 4–5.

Verse 50 (1.191.50)

विश्वामित्रोऽपि कोपेन भूयः शत्रुनिपातनः । दिव्यास्त्रवर्षं तस्मै स प्राहिणोन्मुनये रुषा ॥

viśvāmitro'pi kopena bhūyaḥ śatrunipātanaḥ | divyāstravarṣaṃ tasmai sa prāhiṇonmunaye ruṣā

Vishvamitra, slayer of foes, angrier than ever, furiously sent a shower of divine weapons at the sage.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); Appendix I.97, lines 6–7.

Verse 51 (1.191.51)

आग्नेयं वारुणं चैन्द्रं याम्यं वायव्यमेव च । विससर्ज महाभागे वसिष्ठे ब्रह्मणः सुते ॥

āgneyaṃ vāruṇaṃ caindraṃ yāmyaṃ vāyavyameva ca | visasarja mahābhāge vasiṣṭhe brahmaṇaḥ sute

He loosed the weapons of Agni, Varuna, Indra, Yama and Vayu at the illustrious Vasishtha, son of Brahma.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); Appendix I.97, lines 8–9.

Verse 52 (1.191.52)

अस्त्राणि सर्वतो ज्वालां विसृजन्ति प्रपेदिरे । युगान्तसमये घोराः पतङ्गस्येव रश्मयः ॥

astrāṇi sarvato jvālāṃ visṛjanti prapedire | yugāntasamaye ghorāḥ pataṅgasyeva raśmayaḥ

The weapons came on, throwing out flames on every side, terrible as the rays of the sun at the end of an age.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); Appendix I.97, lines 10–11.

Verse 53 (1.191.53)

वसिष्ठोऽपि महातेजा ब्रह्मशक्तिप्रयुक्तया । यष्ट्या निवारयामास सर्वाण्यस्त्राणि स स्मयन् ॥

vasiṣṭho'pi mahātejā brahmaśaktiprayuktayā | yaṣṭyā nivārayāmāsa sarvāṇyastrāṇi sa smayan

But Vasishtha, of great splendour, smiling, warded off all the weapons with his staff, which the power of Brahman drove.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); Appendix I.97, lines 12–13.

Verse 54 (1.191.54)

ततस्ते भस्मसाद्भूताः पतन्ति स्म महीतले । अपोह्य दिव्यान्यस्त्राणि वसिष्ठो वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥

tataste bhasmasādbhūtāḥ patanti sma mahītale | apohya divyānyastrāṇi vasiṣṭho vākyamabravīt

Then they fell to the ground, burnt to ashes. Having repelled the divine weapons, Vasishtha spoke these words:

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); Appendix I.97, lines 14–15.

Verse 55 (1.191.55)

निर्जितोऽसि महाराज दुरात्मन्गाधिनन्दन । यदि तेऽस्ति परं शौर्यं तद्दर्शय मयि स्थिते ॥

nirjito'si mahārāja durātmangādhinandana | yadi te'sti paraṃ śauryaṃ taddarśaya mayi sthite

You are defeated, great king, wicked son of Gadhi. If you have any greater valour, show it while I stand here.

Note on the text: Speaker changed from गन्धर्व to वसिष्ठ: no speaker line is printed, but the whole verse is Vasishtha's speech, introduced in the verse before. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); Appendix I.97, lines 16–17.

Verse 56 (1.191.56)

विश्वामित्रस्तथा चोक्तो वसिष्ठेन नराधिपः । नोवाच किंचिद्व्रीडाढ्यो विद्रावितमहाबलः ॥

viśvāmitrastathā cokto vasiṣṭhena narādhipaḥ | novāca kiṃcidvrīḍāḍhyo vidrāvitamahābalaḥ

Thus addressed by Vasishtha, King Vishvamitra, whose great army had been routed, said nothing, overcome with shame.

Note on the text: Removed a stray wiki mark (closing quote mark). Wikisource prints the speaker line गन्धर्व उवाच before this verse. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); Appendix I.97, lines 18–19.

Verse 57 (1.191.57)

दृष्ट्वा तन्महदाश्चर्यं ब्रह्मतेजोभवं तदा । विश्वामित्रः क्षत्रभावान्निर्विण्णो वाक्यमब्रवीत् । धिग्बलं क्षत्रियबलं ब्रह्मतेजोबलं बलम् ॥

dṛṣṭvā tanmahadāścaryaṃ brahmatejobhavaṃ tadā | viśvāmitraḥ kṣatrabhāvānnirviṇṇo vākyamabravīt | dhigbalaṃ kṣatriyabalaṃ brahmatejobalaṃ balam

Seeing that great wonder born of a brahmin's power, Vishvamitra, disgusted with his kshatriya state, said: "A curse on strength, on the strength of kshatriyas! The power of a brahmin's splendour is true strength.

Note on the text: A three-line verse as printed: lines = 1.165.41ab–cd and 42ab of the critical edition. Vishvamitra's words begin with the third line.

Verse 58 (1.191.58)

बलाबले विनिश्चित्य तप एव परं बलम् । स राज्यं स्फीतमुत्सृज्य तां च दीप्तां नृपश्रियम् ॥

balābale viniścitya tapa eva paraṃ balam | sa rājyaṃ sphītamutsṛjya tāṃ ca dīptāṃ nṛpaśriyam

"Weighing strength against weakness, I see that austerity alone is the supreme strength." The Gandharva said: Giving up his prosperous kingdom and that blazing royal splendour,

Note on the text: Speaker changed from गन्धर्व to विश्वामित्र: the first line ends Vishvamitra's words, begun in the verse before. Wikisource prints the speaker line गन्धर्व उवाच between the two lines of this verse; the verse is kept with Vishvamitra, who speaks its first line. Lines = 1.165.42cd and 43ab of the critical edition.

Verse 59 (1.191.59)

भोगांश्च पृष्ठतः कृत्वा तपस्येव मनो दधे । स गत्वा तपसा सिद्धिं लोकान्विष्टभ्य तेजसा ॥

bhogāṃśca pṛṣṭhataḥ kṛtvā tapasyeva mano dadhe | sa gatvā tapasā siddhiṃ lokānviṣṭabhya tejasā

and putting pleasures behind him, he set his mind on austerity alone. Through austerity he attained perfection, and, holding the worlds fast with his power,

Note on the text: Lines = 1.165.43cd and 44ab of the critical edition.

Verse 60 (1.191.60)

तताप सर्वान्दीप्तौजा ब्राह्मणत्वमवाप्तवान् । अपिबच्च ततः सोममिन्द्रेण सह कौशिकः ॥

tatāpa sarvāndīptaujā brāhmaṇatvamavāptavān | apibacca tataḥ somamindreṇa saha kauśikaḥ

blazing with energy, he scorched them all, and he attained the state of a brahmin. And then Kaushika drank soma together with Indra.

Note on the text: Lines = 1.165.44cd–ef of the critical edition (अवाप्तवान् for avāpa ca, सोमम् for sutaṃ somam).

Verse 61 (1.191.61)

एवंवीर्यस्तु राजर्षिर्विप्रर्षिः संबभूव ह ॥

evaṃvīryastu rājarṣirviprarṣiḥ saṃbabhūva ha

Such was the might of that royal seer, who became a brahmin seer.

Note on the text: Removed stray wiki marks (backtick and quote mark). A single half-verse as printed, closing the adhyaya. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition gives it only in its apparatus (1.165.44f*1773).