bhavans.info

Ramayana

Sage Viswaamitra

Viswaamitra was held in awe by all as the most powerful among rishis.
Viswaamitra's arrival at Ayodhya was unexpected; and King Dasaratha stepped down from his throne and advanced a few paces respectfully to receive the sage.
Viswaamitra was a king who attained sainthood through terrible austerities. He had long ago exhibited his spiritual powers by starting to create another Brahma and a rival universe: he had gone as far as the creation of new constellations, but was prevailed upon to stop by the entreaties of the alarmed gods.
Viswaamitra, while he was king once went out with his army and chanced to visit Vasishtha's aashrama. The rishi cordially welcomed his royal guest and his huge entourage and extended to them all a hospitality so sumptuous that the King wondered where all the rich abundance came from in a forest hermitage. Questioned by him, Vasishtha called his cow Sabala and explained that she was the fountain of unfailing plenty.
Expressing gratitude to the sage, King Viswaamitra said: You must give me this cow as she would be more useful with me than with you. Such things of power and wealth by right belong to the King."
Now Vasishtha could not part with the divine cow- He gave many reasons and asked the King not to press his request. But the more unwilling Vasishtha was to give the cow, the more eager the King became to possess her.

«Previous Page«

Failing in his efforts to tempt or persuade the sage to part with the cow, Viswaamitra became angry and ordered his men to seize the cow by force.
Sabala could not understand why she was being roughly handled and she was unwilling to go away from the sage and his aashrama. Shedding tears, she wondered how she had offended Vasishtha that he should stand by and look on while she was being dragged away. The cow easily put to flight the soldiers and sought refuge at the feet of the sage.
Moved by the piteous appeal of his beloved cow, who was like a younger sister to him, the sage said: "Bring forth soldiers to resist Viswaamitra's men."
Sabala instantaneously did so, and the aggressors were soon worsted. Wild with rage, Viswaamitra got into his chariot and, taking up his bow, rained arrows on the soldiers brought forth by the cow, but their strength was inexhaustible, and the royal forces suffered utter defeat. The sons of Viswaamitra now chose Vasishtha himself as their target, only to be reduced to ashes.
Defeated and disgraced, Viswaamitra then and there entrusted his kingdom to one of his sons and proceeded to the Himaalayas to perform tapas, directing his devotions to Lord Siva to gain power with which to subdue Vasishtha.
So firm and steadfast was Viswaamitra in his austerities that Lord Siva was pleased and appeared before him. He asked the king what his object was in performing tapas.
Viswaamitra replied: "If you, Umaapati, are satisfied with my tapas let me be blessed with divine arrows and be master of every weapon."

»Next Page»