Vishvamitra Attains Brahmarshi-hood

Shloka 1 (bala.65.1)

अथ हैमवतीं राम दिशं त्यक्त्वा महामुनिः। पूर्वां दिशमनुप्राप्य तपस्तेपे सुदारुणम् ॥ १-६५-१ ॥

atha haimavatīṃ rāma diśaṃ tyaktvā mahāmuniḥ| pūrvāṃ diśamanuprāpya tapastepe sudāruṇam || 1-65-1 ||

Then, O Rama, the great sage left the Himalayan region and, arriving in the eastern quarter, performed a most severe penance.

Shloka 2 (bala.65.2)

मौनं वर्षसहस्रस्य कृत्वा व्रतमनुत्तमम्। चकाराप्रतिमं राम तपः परमदुष्करम् ॥ १-६५-२ ॥

maunaṃ varṣasahasrasya kṛtvā vratamanuttamam| cakārāpratimaṃ rāma tapaḥ paramaduṣkaram || 1-65-2 ||

Taking upon himself the supreme vow of silence for a thousand years, he performed, O Rama, an unmatched and most arduous austerity.

Shloka 3 (bala.65.3)

पूर्णे वर्षसहस्रे तु काष्ठभूतं महामुनिम्। विघ्नैर्बहुभिराधूतं क्रोधो नान्तरमाविशत् ॥ १-६५-३ ॥

pūrṇe varṣasahasre tu kāṣṭhabhūtaṃ mahāmunim| vighnairbahubhirādhūtaṃ krodho nāntaramāviśat || 1-65-3 ||

When the thousand years were completed, though the great sage had become as if made of wood, and though buffeted by many obstacles, no anger entered his heart.

Shloka 4 (bala.65.4)

स कृत्वा निश्चयं राम तप आतिष्ठदव्ययम्। तस्य वर्षसहस्रस्य व्रते पूर्णे महाव्रतः ॥ १-६५-४ ॥

sa kṛtvā niścayaṃ rāma tapa ātiṣṭhadavyayam| tasya varṣasahasrasya vrate pūrṇe mahāvrataḥ || 1-65-4 ||

Having made a firm resolve, O Rama, he continued his unbroken penance; and when the vow of that thousand years had been completed, that keeper of the great vow,

Shloka 5 (bala.65.5)

भोक्तुमारब्धवानन्नं तस्मिन् काले रघूत्तम। इन्द्रो द्विजातिर्भूत्वा तं सिद्धमन्नमयाचत ॥ १-६५-५ ॥

bhoktumārabdhavānannaṃ tasmin kāle raghūttama| indro dvijātirbhūtvā taṃ siddhamannamayācata || 1-65-5 ||

began to eat his meal; and at that very moment, O best of Raghu's line, Indra, disguised as a Brahmin, came and begged from him that food he had prepared.

Shloka 6 (bala.65.6)

तस्मै दत्त्वा तदा सिद्धं सर्वं विप्राय निश्चितः। निःषेषितेऽन्ने भगवानभुक्त्वैव महातपाः ॥ १-६५-६ ॥

tasmai dattvā tadā siddhaṃ sarvaṃ viprāya niścitaḥ| niḥṣeṣite'nne bhagavānabhuktvaiva mahātapāḥ || 1-65-6 ||

Resolutely, he gave that entire prepared meal to the Brahmin; and when the food was left with nothing remaining, that reverend and greatly austere sage, without having eaten at all,

Shloka 7 (bala.65.7)

न किंचिदवदद्विप्रं मौनव्रतमुपास्थितः। तथैवासीत्पुनः मौनमनुच्छ्वासं चकार ह ॥ १-६५-७ ॥

na kiṃcidavadadvipraṃ maunavratamupāsthitaḥ| tathaivāsītpunaḥ maunamanucchvāsaṃ cakāra ha || 1-65-7 ||

said not a word to the Brahmin, holding fast to his vow of silence; and he remained just as before, again observing silence and suspending his breath.

Shloka 8 (bala.65.8)

अथ वर्षसहस्रं च नोच्छ्वसन्मुनिपुंगवः। तस्यानुच्छ्वसमानस्य मूर्ध्नि धूमो व्यजायत ॥ १-६५-८ ॥

atha varṣasahasraṃ ca nocchvasanmunipuṃgavaḥ| tasyānucchvasamānasya mūrdhni dhūmo vyajāyata || 1-65-8 ||

Then, for another thousand years, that eminent sage remained without breathing; and as he thus held his breath, smoke began to rise from his head,

Shloka 9 (bala.65.9)

त्रैलोक्यं येन संभ्रांतमातापितमिवाभवत्। ततो देवर्षिगन्धर्वाः पन्नगोरगराक्षसाः ॥ १-६५-९ ॥

trailokyaṃ yena saṃbhrāṃtamātāpitamivābhavat| tato devarṣigandharvāḥ pannagoragarākṣasāḥ || 1-65-9 ||

by which the three worlds were thrown into confusion, as if they were being scorched. Then the gods, sages, gandharvas, serpents, and rakshasas,

Shloka 10 (bala.65.10)

मोहिता तपसा तस्य तेजसा मंदरश्मयः। कश्मलोपहताः सर्वे पितामहमथाब्रुवन् ॥ १-६५-१० ॥

mohitā tapasā tasya tejasā maṃdaraśmayaḥ| kaśmalopahatāḥ sarve pitāmahamathābruvan || 1-65-10 ||

bewildered by his austerity, their own radiance dimmed by his splendour, all afflicted with dismay, went and spoke to the Grandsire:

Shloka 11 (bala.65.11)

बहुभिः कारणैर्देव विश्वामित्रो महामुनिः। लोभितः क्रोधितश्चैव तपसा चाभिवर्धते ॥ १-६५-११ ॥

bahubhiḥ kāraṇairdeva viśvāmitro mahāmuniḥ| lobhitaḥ krodhitaścaiva tapasā cābhivardhate || 1-65-11 ||

'O god, though the great sage Vishvamitra has been enticed by many means, and made angry as well, he only grows the more in his austerity.'

Shloka 12 (bala.65.12)

न ह्यस्य वृजिनं किंचिद् दृश्यते सूक्ष्ममप्यथ। न दीयते यदि त्वस्य मनसा यदभीप्सितम् ॥ १-६५-१२ ॥

na hyasya vṛjinaṃ kiṃcid dṛśyate sūkṣmamapyatha| na dīyate yadi tvasya manasā yadabhīpsitam || 1-65-12 ||

'Indeed, not even the slightest fault is now to be found in him; and if what he desires in his heart is not granted to him,'

Shloka 13 (bala.65.13)

विनाशयति त्रैलोक्यं तपसा स चराचरम्। व्याकुलाश्च दिशः सर्वा न च किंचित् प्रकाशते ॥ १-६५-१३ ॥

vināśayati trailokyaṃ tapasā sa carācaram| vyākulāśca diśaḥ sarvā na ca kiṃcit prakāśate || 1-65-13 ||

'—then by his austerity he will destroy the three worlds, with all that moves and moves not.' All the quarters have grown turbulent, and nothing shines forth any longer;

Shloka 14 (bala.65.14)

सागराः क्षुभिताः सर्वे विशीर्यन्ते च पर्वताः। प्रकंपते च वसुधा वायुर्वातीह संकुलः ॥ १-६५-१४ ॥

sāgarāḥ kṣubhitāḥ sarve viśīryante ca parvatāḥ| prakaṃpate ca vasudhā vāyurvātīha saṃkulaḥ || 1-65-14 ||

all the oceans are churning, the mountains are crumbling, the earth trembles, and the wind blows here in wild disorder.

Shloka 15 (bala.65.15)

ब्रह्मन्न प्रतिजानीमो नास्तिको जायते जनः। सम्मूढमिव त्रैलोक्यं संप्रक्षुभितमानसम् ॥ १-६५-१५ ॥

brahmanna pratijānīmo nāstiko jāyate janaḥ| sammūḍhamiva trailokyaṃ saṃprakṣubhitamānasam || 1-65-15 ||

'O Brahma, we do not know what to do; people are turning irreligious. The three worlds seem stupefied, their minds thrown into utter turmoil,'

Shloka 16 (bala.65.16)

भास्करो निष्प्रभश्चैव महर्षेस्तस्य तेजसा। बुद्धिं न कुरुते यावन्नाशे देव महामुनिः ॥ १-६५-१६ ॥

bhāskaro niṣprabhaścaiva maharṣestasya tejasā| buddhiṃ na kurute yāvannāśe deva mahāmuniḥ || 1-65-16 ||

'—and even the sun has lost his lustre before the splendour of that great sage. O god, before that great sage resolves upon total destruction,'

Shloka 17 (bala.65.17)

तावत्प्रसादो भगवानग्निरूपो महाद्युतिः। कालाग्निना यथा पूर्वं त्रैलोक्यं दह्यतेऽखिलम् ॥ १-६५-१७ ॥

tāvatprasādo bhagavānagnirūpo mahādyutiḥ| kālāgninā yathā pūrvaṃ trailokyaṃ dahyate'khilam || 1-65-17 ||

'—he, the venerable one of fiery form and immense radiance, must be placated. Just as of old the three worlds were entirely burnt by the fire of universal dissolution,'

Shloka 18 (bala.65.18)

देवराज्यं चिकीर्षेत दीयतामस्य यन्मतम्। ततः सुरगणाः सर्वे पितामहपुरोगमाः ॥ १-६५-१८ ॥

devarājyaṃ cikīrṣeta dīyatāmasya yanmatam| tataḥ suragaṇāḥ sarve pitāmahapurogamāḥ || 1-65-18 ||

'—so now, should he even wish to become the sovereign of the gods, let whatever is in his mind be granted to him.' Then all the hosts of gods, with the Grandsire leading them,

Shloka 19 (bala.65.19)

विश्वामित्रं महात्मानं वाक्यं मधुरमब्रुवन्। ब्रह्मर्षे स्वागतं तेऽस्तु तपसा स्म सुतोषिताः ॥ १-६५-१९ ॥

viśvāmitraṃ mahātmānaṃ vākyaṃ madhuramabruvan| brahmarṣe svāgataṃ te'stu tapasā sma sutoṣitāḥ || 1-65-19 ||

went to the great-souled Vishvamitra and spoke this gracious word: 'O Brahmarshi, welcome to you; we are most gratified by your austerity.'

Shloka 20 (bala.65.20)

ब्राह्मण्यं तपसोग्रेण प्राप्तवानसि कौशिक। दीर्घमायुश्च ते ब्रह्मन् ददामि समरुद्गणः ॥ १-६५-२० ॥

brāhmaṇyaṃ tapasogreṇa prāptavānasi kauśika| dīrghamāyuśca te brahman dadāmi samarudgaṇaḥ || 1-65-20 ||

'O Kaushika, by your fierce austerity you have attained Brahminhood. O Brahmin, I, together with the host of Marut gods, grant you long life.'

Shloka 21 (bala.65.21)

स्वस्ति प्राप्नुहि भद्रं ते गच्छ सौम्य यथासुखम्। पितामहवचः श्रुत्वा सर्वेषां त्रिदिवौकसाम् ॥ १-६५-२१ ॥

svasti prāpnuhi bhadraṃ te gaccha saumya yathāsukham| pitāmahavacaḥ śrutvā sarveṣāṃ tridivaukasām || 1-65-21 ||

'May you attain well-being; may good befall you; go now, O gentle one, as you please.' Having heard this word of the Grandsire and of all the dwellers of heaven,

Shloka 22 (bala.65.22)

कृत्वा प्रणामं मुदितो व्याजहार महामुनिः। ब्राह्मण्यं यदि मे प्राप्तं दीर्घमायुस्तथैव च ॥ १-६५-२२ ॥

kṛtvā praṇāmaṃ mudito vyājahāra mahāmuniḥ| brāhmaṇyaṃ yadi me prāptaṃ dīrghamāyustathaiva ca || 1-65-22 ||

the great sage, delighted, bowed and spoke: 'If Brahminhood has indeed been attained by me, and long life as well,'

Shloka 23 (bala.65.23)

ओंकारोऽथ वषट्कारो वेदाश्च वरयन्तु माम्। क्षत्र वेदविदां श्रेष्ठो ब्रह्मवेदविदामपि ॥ १-६५-२३ ॥

oṃkāro'tha vaṣaṭkāro vedāśca varayantu mām| kṣatra vedavidāṃ śreṣṭho brahmavedavidāmapi || 1-65-23 ||

'—then let the syllable Om, the sound Vashat, and the Vedas themselves accept me as their own. Let Vashishtha, foremost among knowers of both statecraft and the Veda,'

Shloka 24 (bala.65.24)

ब्रह्मपुत्रो वसिष्ठो मामेवं वदतु देवताः। यद्ययं परमः कामः कृतो यान्तु सुरर्षभाः ॥ १-६५-२४ ॥

brahmaputro vasiṣṭho māmevaṃ vadatu devatāḥ| yadyayaṃ paramaḥ kāmaḥ kṛto yāntu surarṣabhāḥ || 1-65-24 ||

'—Brahma's own son Vashishtha, acknowledge me thus. O gods, if this, my supreme desire, has been fulfilled, then you, best of gods, may take your leave.'

Shloka 25 (bala.65.25)

ततः प्रसादितो देवैर्वसिष्ठो जपतां वरः। सख्यं चकार ब्रह्मर्षिरेवमस्त्विति चाब्रवीत् ॥ १-६५-२५ ॥

tataḥ prasādito devairvasiṣṭho japatāṃ varaḥ| sakhyaṃ cakāra brahmarṣirevamastviti cābravīt || 1-65-25 ||

Then Vashishtha, foremost among those devoted to sacred recitation, being entreated by the gods, made friendship with him and said, 'Brahmarshi, so let it be.'

Shloka 26 (bala.65.26)

ब्रह्मर्षिस्त्वं न संदेहः सर्वं संपद्यते तव। इत्युक्त्वा देवताश्चापि सर्वा जग्मुर्यथागतम् ॥ १-६५-२६ ॥

brahmarṣistvaṃ na saṃdehaḥ sarvaṃ saṃpadyate tava| ityuktvā devatāścāpi sarvā jagmuryathāgatam || 1-65-26 ||

'You are indeed a Brahmarshi, beyond doubt; everything shall now accrue to you.' Having said this, all the gods too departed as they had come.

Shloka 27 (bala.65.27)

विश्वामित्रोऽपि धर्मात्मा लब्ध्वा ब्राह्मण्यमुत्तमम्। पूजयामास ब्रह्मर्षिं वसिष्ठं जपतां वरम् ॥ १-६५-२७ ॥

viśvāmitro'pi dharmātmā labdhvā brāhmaṇyamuttamam| pūjayāmāsa brahmarṣiṃ vasiṣṭhaṃ japatāṃ varam || 1-65-27 ||

The righteous Vishvamitra too, having attained the supreme state of Brahminhood, then honoured the Brahmarshi Vashishtha, foremost among those devoted to sacred recitation.

Shloka 28 (bala.65.28)

कृतकामो महीं सर्वां चचार तपसि स्थितः। एवं त्वनेन ब्राह्मण्यं प्राप्तं राम महात्मना ॥ १-६५-२८ ॥

kṛtakāmo mahīṃ sarvāṃ cacāra tapasi sthitaḥ| evaṃ tvanena brāhmaṇyaṃ prāptaṃ rāma mahātmanā || 1-65-28 ||

With his desire fulfilled, he wandered over the whole earth, ever established in penance. Thus, O Rama, was Brahminhood attained by this great-souled sage.

Shloka 29 (bala.65.29)

एष राम मुनिश्रेष्ठ एष विग्रहवान् तपः। एष धर्मः परो नित्यं वीर्यस्यैष परायणम् ॥ १-६५-२९ ॥

eṣa rāma muniśreṣṭha eṣa vigrahavān tapaḥ| eṣa dharmaḥ paro nityaṃ vīryasyaiṣa parāyaṇam || 1-65-29 ||

'This, O Rama, is the foremost of sages; this is austerity embodied; this is righteousness itself, eternal and supreme; this is the very refuge of valour.'

Shloka 30 (bala.65.30)

एवमुक्त्वा महातेजा विरराम द्विजोत्तमः। शतानंदवचः श्रुत्वा रामलक्ष्मणसंनिधौ ॥ १-६५-३० ॥

evamuktvā mahātejā virarāma dvijottamaḥ| śatānaṃdavacaḥ śrutvā rāmalakṣmaṇasaṃnidhau || 1-65-30 ||

Having spoken thus, that greatly resplendent and foremost of Brahmins fell silent. Then, having heard Shatananda's words in the presence of Rama and Lakshmana,

Shloka 31 (bala.65.31)

जनकः प्रांजलिर्वाक्यमुवाच कुशिकात्मजम्। धन्योऽस्म्यनुगृहीतोऽस्मि यस्य मे मुनिपुंगव ॥ १-६५-३१ ॥

janakaḥ prāṃjalirvākyamuvāca kuśikātmajam| dhanyo'smyanugṛhīto'smi yasya me munipuṃgava || 1-65-31 ||

King Janaka, with joined palms, spoke this word to the son of Kushika: 'I am fortunate, O eminent sage, I am truly blessed, in that at my sacrifice'

Shloka 32 (bala.65.32)

यज्ञं काकुत्स्थसहितः प्राप्तवानसि कौशिक। पावितोऽहं त्वया ब्रह्मन् दर्शनेन महामुने ॥ १-६५-३२ ॥

yajñaṃ kākutsthasahitaḥ prāptavānasi kauśika| pāvito'haṃ tvayā brahman darśanena mahāmune || 1-65-32 ||

'—you, O Kaushika, have come together with the scions of Kakutstha. O Brahmin, O great sage, I have been purified by the mere sight of you;'

Shloka 33 (bala.65.33)

गुणा बहुविधाः प्राप्तास्तव संदर्शनान्मया। विस्तरेण च वै ब्रह्मन् कीर्त्यमानं महत्तपः ॥ १-६५-३३ ॥

guṇā bahuvidhāḥ prāptāstava saṃdarśanānmayā| vistareṇa ca vai brahman kīrtyamānaṃ mahattapaḥ || 1-65-33 ||

'—by beholding you I have gained manifold merits. And, O Brahmin, your great austerity, as it has been recounted at length,'

Shloka 34 (bala.65.34)

श्रुतं मया महातेजो रामेण च महात्मना। सदस्यैः प्राप्य च सदः श्रुतास्ते बहवो गुणाः ॥ १-६५-३४ ॥

śrutaṃ mayā mahātejo rāmeṇa ca mahātmanā| sadasyaiḥ prāpya ca sadaḥ śrutāste bahavo guṇāḥ || 1-65-34 ||

'—has been heard by me, O greatly resplendent one, and by the noble Rama as well. And your many virtues have also been heard by the assembly gathered here in this hall.'

Shloka 35 (bala.65.35)

अप्रमेया तपस्तुभ्यमप्रमेयं च ते बलम्। अप्रमेया गुणाश्चैव नित्यं ते कुशिकात्मज ॥ १-६५-३५ ॥

aprameyā tapastubhyamaprameyaṃ ca te balam| aprameyā guṇāścaiva nityaṃ te kuśikātmaja || 1-65-35 ||

'Immeasurable is your austerity, immeasurable too is your power; and immeasurable, O son of Kushika, are your virtues, everlastingly.'

Shloka 36 (bala.65.36)

तृप्तिराश्चर्यभूतानां कथानां नास्ति मे विभो। कर्मकालो मुनिश्रेष्ठ लम्बते रविमण्डलम् ॥ १-६५-३६ ॥

tṛptirāścaryabhūtānāṃ kathānāṃ nāsti me vibho| karmakālo muniśreṣṭha lambate ravimaṇḍalam || 1-65-36 ||

'O lord, I am never satiated with these wondrous accounts. Yet, O foremost of sages, the hour for the evening rite draws near, for the sun's orb now hangs low.'

Shloka 37 (bala.65.37)

श्वः प्रभाते महातेजो द्रष्टुमर्हसि मां पुनः। स्वागतं जपतां श्रेष्ठ मामनुज्ञातुमर्हसि ॥ १-६५-३७ ॥

śvaḥ prabhāte mahātejo draṣṭumarhasi māṃ punaḥ| svāgataṃ japatāṃ śreṣṭha māmanujñātumarhasi || 1-65-37 ||

'Tomorrow at dawn, O greatly resplendent one, may you kindly see me again. Welcome to you, O foremost among those devoted to sacred recitation; be pleased now to give me leave.'

Shloka 38 (bala.65.38)

एवमुक्तो मुनिवरः प्रशस्य पुरुषर्षभम्। विससर्जाशु जनकं प्रीतं प्रीतिमांस्तदा ॥ १-६५-३८ ॥

evamukto munivaraḥ praśasya puruṣarṣabham| visasarjāśu janakaṃ prītaṃ prītimāṃstadā || 1-65-38 ||

Thus addressed, that excellent sage, himself pleased, praised the foremost of men and then swiftly bade the delighted Janaka farewell.

Shloka 39 (bala.65.39)

एवमुक्त्वा मुनिश्रेष्ठं वैदेहो मिथिलाधिपः। प्रदक्षिणं चकाराशु सोपाध्यायः सबांधवः ॥ १-६५-३९ ॥

evamuktvā muniśreṣṭhaṃ vaideho mithilādhipaḥ| pradakṣiṇaṃ cakārāśu sopādhyāyaḥ sabāṃdhavaḥ || 1-65-39 ||

Having spoken thus to that foremost of sages, Janaka, lord of Videha and of Mithila, together with his priests and kinsmen, swiftly circumambulated him in reverence.

Shloka 40 (bala.65.40)

विश्वामित्रोऽपि धर्मात्मा सहरामः सलक्ष्मणः। स्वं वासमभिचक्राम पूज्यमानो महर्षिभिः ॥ १-६५-४० ॥

viśvāmitro'pi dharmātmā saharāmaḥ salakṣmaṇaḥ| svaṃ vāsamabhicakrāma pūjyamāno maharṣibhiḥ || 1-65-40 ||

The righteous Vishvamitra too, together with Rama and Lakshmana, being honoured by the great sages there, then withdrew to his own quarters.