Vashishtha's Wrath Consumes Vishvamitra's Sons and Army

Shloka 1 (bala.55.1)

ततस्तानाकुलान् दृष्ट्वा विश्वामित्रास्त्रमोहितान्। वसिष्ठश्चोदयामास कामधुक् सृज योगतः ॥ १-५५-१ ॥

tatastānākulān dṛṣṭvā viśvāmitrāstramohitān| vasiṣṭhaścodayāmāsa kāmadhuk sṛja yogataḥ || 1-55-1 ||

Then, seeing those warriors flurried and bewildered by Vishvamitra's missiles, Vashishtha urged the cow: "O wish-granting one, create more by your yogic power."

Shloka 2 (bala.55.2)

तस्या हुंकारतो जाताः कांबोजा रविसन्निभाः। ऊधसस्त्वथ संजाताः पह्लवाः शस्त्रपाणयः ॥ १-५५-२ ॥

tasyā huṃkārato jātāḥ kāṃbojā ravisannibhāḥ| ūdhasastvatha saṃjātāḥ pahlavāḥ śastrapāṇayaḥ || 1-55-2 ||

From her 'hum' were born the Kambojas, radiant as the sun; and from her udder sprang the Pahlavas, weapons in hand.

Shloka 3 (bala.55.3)

योनिदेशाच्च यवनाः शकृदेशाच्छकास्तथा। रोमकूपेषु म्लेच्छाश्च हारीताः सकिरातकाः ॥ १-५५-३ ॥

yonideśācca yavanāḥ śakṛdeśācchakāstathā| romakūpeṣu mlecchāśca hārītāḥ sakirātakāḥ || 1-55-3 ||

From the region of her genitals were born the Yavanas, likewise from her rectal region the Shakas, and from her hair-pores the Mlecchas, the Haritas together with the Kiratas.

Shloka 4 (bala.55.4)

तैस्तन्निषूदितं सैन्यं विश्वमित्रस्य तत्क्षणात्। सपदातिगजं साश्वं सरथं रघुनंदन ॥ १-५५-४ ॥

taistanniṣūditaṃ sainyaṃ viśvamitrasya tatkṣaṇāt| sapadātigajaṃ sāśvaṃ sarathaṃ raghunaṃdana || 1-55-4 ||

O delight of Raghu's line, by them Vishvamitra's entire army -- together with its foot-soldiers, elephants, horses, and chariots -- was slaughtered that very instant.

Shloka 5 (bala.55.5)

दृष्ट्वा निषूदितं सैन्यं वसिष्ठेन महात्मना। विश्वामित्रसुतानां तु शतं नानाविधायुधम् ॥ १-५५-५ ॥

dṛṣṭvā niṣūditaṃ sainyaṃ vasiṣṭhena mahātmanā| viśvāmitrasutānāṃ tu śataṃ nānāvidhāyudham || 1-55-5 ||

Seeing their army thus slaughtered by the great-souled Vashishtha, the hundred sons of Vishvamitra, wielding weapons of every kind,

Shloka 6 (bala.55.6)

अभ्यधावत् सुसंक्रद्धं वसिष्ठं जपतां वरम्। हुङ्कारेणैव तान् सर्वान् निर्ददाह महानृषिः ॥ १-५५-६ ॥

abhyadhāvat susaṃkraddhaṃ vasiṣṭhaṃ japatāṃ varam| huṅkāreṇaiva tān sarvān nirdadāha mahānṛṣiḥ || 1-55-6 ||

-- rushed forth, greatly enraged, upon Vashishtha, foremost among those devoted to recitation. But that great sage burned them all down with a mere sound of 'hum.'

Shloka 7 (bala.55.7)

ते साश्वरथपादाता वसिष्ठेन महात्मना। भस्मीकृता मुहूर्तेन विश्वामित्रसुतास्तदा ॥ १-५५-७ ॥

te sāśvarathapādātā vasiṣṭhena mahātmanā| bhasmīkṛtā muhūrtena viśvāmitrasutāstadā || 1-55-7 ||

Those sons of Vishvamitra, along with their horses, chariots, and foot-soldiers, were reduced to ashes by the great-souled Vashishtha in but a moment.

Shloka 8 (bala.55.8)

दृष्ट्वा विनाशितान् पुत्रान् बलं च सुमहायशाः। सव्रीडश्चिंतयाविष्टो विश्वामित्रोऽभवत्तदा ॥ १-५५-८ ॥

dṛṣṭvā vināśitān putrān balaṃ ca sumahāyaśāḥ| savrīḍaściṃtayāviṣṭo viśvāmitro'bhavattadā || 1-55-8 ||

Seeing his sons and his forces thus destroyed, that once-renowned Vishvamitra was overcome with shame and sank into deep distress.

Shloka 9 (bala.55.9)

समुद्र इव निर्वेगो भग्नदंष्ट्र इवोरगः। उपरक्त इवादित्यः सद्यो निष्प्रभतां गतः ॥ १-५५-९ ॥

samudra iva nirvego bhagnadaṃṣṭra ivoragaḥ| uparakta ivādityaḥ sadyo niṣprabhatāṃ gataḥ || 1-55-9 ||

Like an ocean grown tideless, like a serpent with broken fangs, like the sun in eclipse, he instantly lost all his luster.

Shloka 10 (bala.55.10)

हतपुत्रबलो दीनो लूनपक्ष इव द्विजः। हतसर्वबलोत्साहो निर्वेदं समपद्यत ॥ १-५५-१० ॥

hataputrabalo dīno lūnapakṣa iva dvijaḥ| hatasarvabalotsāho nirvedaṃ samapadyata || 1-55-10 ||

His sons and forces slain, pitiable as a bird with clipped wings, with all his strength and vigor spent, he fell into utter despondency.

Shloka 11 (bala.55.11)

स पुत्रमेकं राज्याय पालयेति नियुज्य च। पृथिवीं क्षत्रधर्मेण वनमेवान्वपद्यत ॥ १-५५-११ ॥

sa putramekaṃ rājyāya pālayeti niyujya ca| pṛthivīṃ kṣatradharmeṇa vanamevānvapadyata || 1-55-11 ||

He then appointed one remaining son to the kingdom, saying, "You shall rule the earth by the duty of a kshatriya," and himself took recourse to the forest.

Shloka 12 (bala.55.12)

स गत्वा हिमवत्पारर्श्वं किंनरोरगसेवितम्। महादेवप्रसादार्थं तपस्तेपे महातपाः ॥ १-५५-१२ ॥

sa gatvā himavatpārarśvaṃ kiṃnaroragasevitam| mahādevaprasādārthaṃ tapastepe mahātapāḥ || 1-55-12 ||

He went to the flank of the Himalayas, frequented by kinnaras and serpent-beings, and there, a great ascetic, undertook austerities to win the favor of the Great God, Shiva.

Shloka 13 (bala.55.13)

केनचित्त्वथ कालेन देवेशो वृषभध्वजः। दर्शयामास वरदो विश्वामित्रं महामुनिम् ॥ १-५५-१३ ॥

kenacittvatha kālena deveśo vṛṣabhadhvajaḥ| darśayāmāsa varado viśvāmitraṃ mahāmunim || 1-55-13 ||

After some time had passed, the lord of gods, whose banner bears the bull, the boon-giving Shiva, revealed himself to the great sage Vishvamitra.

Shloka 14 (bala.55.14)

किमर्थं तप्यसे राजन् ब्रूहि यत्ते विवक्षितम्। वरदोऽस्मि वरो यस्ते कांक्षितः सोऽभिधीयताम् ॥ १-५५-१४ ॥

kimarthaṃ tapyase rājan brūhi yatte vivakṣitam| varado'smi varo yaste kāṃkṣitaḥ so'bhidhīyatām || 1-55-14 ||

"O king, for what purpose do you undertake this austerity? Tell me what you wish to say. I am a giver of boons -- name whatever boon you desire."

Shloka 15 (bala.55.15)

एवमुक्तस्तु देवेन विश्वामित्रो महातपाः। प्रणिपत्य महादेवं विश्वामित्रोऽब्रवीदिदम् ॥ १-५५-१५ ॥

evamuktastu devena viśvāmitro mahātapāḥ| praṇipatya mahādevaṃ viśvāmitro'bravīdidam || 1-55-15 ||

Thus addressed by the god, Vishvamitra, the great ascetic, prostrated himself before Mahadeva and spoke as follows.

Shloka 16 (bala.55.16)

यदि तुष्टो महादेव धनुर्वेदो ममानघ। साङ्गोपाङ्गोपनिषदः सरहस्यः प्रदीयताम् ॥ १-५५-१६ ॥

yadi tuṣṭo mahādeva dhanurvedo mamānagha| sāṅgopāṅgopaniṣadaḥ sarahasyaḥ pradīyatām || 1-55-16 ||

"O sinless Mahadeva, if you are pleased with me, then let the Science of Archery be granted to me, together with all its limbs, sub-limbs, its Upanishads, and its inner secrets."

Shloka 17 (bala.55.17)

यानि देवेषु चास्त्राणि दानवेषु महर्षिषु। गंधर्वयक्षरक्षस्सु प्रतिभांतु ममानघ ॥ १-५५-१७ ॥

yāni deveṣu cāstrāṇi dānaveṣu maharṣiṣu| gaṃdharvayakṣarakṣassu pratibhāṃtu mamānagha || 1-55-17 ||

"O sinless one, whatever weapons exist among the gods, the danavas, the great sages, the gandharvas, the yakshas, and the rakshasas, let them all become manifest to me."

Shloka 18 (bala.55.18)

तव प्रसादाद्भवतु देवदेव ममेप्सितम्। एवमस्त्विति देवेशो वाक्यमुक्त्वा गतस्तदा ॥ १-५५-१८ ॥

tava prasādādbhavatu devadeva mamepsitam| evamastviti deveśo vākyamuktvā gatastadā || 1-55-18 ||

"O God of gods, by your grace may my desire be fulfilled." "So be it," said the lord of gods, and having spoken this word, he then departed.

Shloka 19 (bala.55.19)

प्राप्य चास्त्राणि देवेशाद्विश्वामित्रो महाबलः। दर्पेण महता युक्तो दर्पपूर्णोऽभवत्तदा ॥ १-५५-१९ ॥

prāpya cāstrāṇi deveśādviśvāmitro mahābalaḥ| darpeṇa mahatā yukto darpapūrṇo'bhavattadā || 1-55-19 ||

Having obtained those weapons from the lord of gods, the mighty Vishvamitra, seized with great pride, then became utterly filled with arrogance.

Shloka 20 (bala.55.20)

विवर्धमानो वीर्येण समुद्र इव पर्वणि। हतं मेने तदा राम वसिष्ठमृषिसत्तमम् ॥ १-५५-२० ॥

vivardhamāno vīryeṇa samudra iva parvaṇi| hataṃ mene tadā rāma vasiṣṭhamṛṣisattamam || 1-55-20 ||

Swelling with his own valor like the ocean on the full-moon day, O Rama, he then deemed Vashishtha, the foremost of sages, as good as slain.

Shloka 21 (bala.55.21)

ततो गत्वाश्रमपदं मुमोचास्त्राणि पार्थिवः। यैस्तत्तपोवनं सर्वं निर्दग्धं चास्त्रतेजसा ॥ १-५५-२१ ॥

tato gatvāśramapadaṃ mumocāstrāṇi pārthivaḥ| yaistattapovanaṃ sarvaṃ nirdagdhaṃ cāstratejasā || 1-55-21 ||

Then, going to the threshold of the hermitage, the king unleashed his weapons, by whose fiery power that entire ascetic grove was utterly burned down.

Shloka 22 (bala.55.22)

उदीर्यमाणमस्त्रं तद्विश्वामित्रस्य धीमतः। दृष्ट्वा विप्रद्रुता भीता मुनयः शतशो दिशः ॥ १-५५-२२ ॥

udīryamāṇamastraṃ tadviśvāmitrasya dhīmataḥ| dṛṣṭvā vipradrutā bhītā munayaḥ śataśo diśaḥ || 1-55-22 ||

Seeing that terrible weapon of the shrewd Vishvamitra blazing forth, hundreds of sages, seized with fear, fled in every direction.

Shloka 23 (bala.55.23)

वसिष्ठस्य च ये शिष्याः ये च वै मृगपक्षिणः। विद्रवन्ति भयाद्भीता नाना दिग्भ्यः सहस्रशः ॥ १-५५-२३ ॥

vasiṣṭhasya ca ye śiṣyāḥ ye ca vai mṛgapakṣiṇaḥ| vidravanti bhayādbhītā nānā digbhyaḥ sahasraśaḥ || 1-55-23 ||

Whoever were Vashishtha's disciples, and whatever deer and birds were there, all of them, terrified with fear, fled by the thousands in every direction.

Shloka 24 (bala.55.24)

वसिष्ठस्याश्रमपदं शून्यमासीन्महात्मनः। मुहूर्तमिव निःशब्दमासीदिरिणसंनिभम् ॥ १-५५-२४ ॥

vasiṣṭhasyāśramapadaṃ śūnyamāsīnmahātmanaḥ| muhūrtamiva niḥśabdamāsīdiriṇasaṃnibham || 1-55-24 ||

The hermitage of the great-souled Vashishtha fell empty; for a moment it grew utterly silent, as though it were a barren waste.

Shloka 25 (bala.55.25)

वदतो वै वसिष्ठस्य मा भैष्टेति मुहुर्मुहुः। नाशयाम्यद्य गाधेयं नीहारमिव भास्करः ॥ १-५५-२५ ॥

vadato vai vasiṣṭhasya mā bhaiṣṭeti muhurmuhuḥ| nāśayāmyadya gādheyaṃ nīhāramiva bhāskaraḥ || 1-55-25 ||

Vashishtha kept saying, again and again, "Do not fear, do not fear! This very day I shall dispel Gadhi's son, as the sun dispels the mist."

Shloka 26 (bala.55.26)

एवमुक्त्वा महातेजा वसिष्ठो जपतां वरः। विश्वामित्रं तदा वाक्यं सरोषमिदमब्रवीत् ॥ १-५५-२६ ॥

evamuktvā mahātejā vasiṣṭho japatāṃ varaḥ| viśvāmitraṃ tadā vākyaṃ saroṣamidamabravīt || 1-55-26 ||

Having said this, the greatly resplendent Vashishtha, foremost among those devoted to recitation, then spoke this word to Vishvamitra in wrath.

Shloka 27 (bala.55.27)

आश्रमं चिरसंवृद्धं यद्विनाशितवानसि। दुराचारो हि यन्मूढ तस्मात्त्वं न भविष्यसि ॥ १-५५-२७ ॥

āśramaṃ cirasaṃvṛddhaṃ yadvināśitavānasi| durācāro hi yanmūḍha tasmāttvaṃ na bhaviṣyasi || 1-55-27 ||

"Because you have destroyed this hermitage, nurtured over so long a time, and because of this vile conduct, O fool, you shall now cease to exist."

Shloka 28 (bala.55.28)

इत्युक्त्वा परमक्रुद्धो दण्डमुद्यम्य सत्वरः। विधूम इव कालाग्निर्यमदण्डमिवापरम् ॥ १-५५-२८ ॥

ityuktvā paramakruddho daṇḍamudyamya satvaraḥ| vidhūma iva kālāgniryamadaṇḍamivāparam || 1-55-28 ||

Having said this, utterly enraged, he swiftly raised his staff -- as though he were the smokeless Fire of Doom itself, or another rod of Yama.