On Vasishtha’s command, Sabala—the Kamadhenu—just uttered the word, “Hum”. And you know what emerged out of that? Great warriors such as the Kambojas, Barbaras, Yavanas, Sakas, Malecchas, Haritas and the Kiratas.
The warriors who emerged from different parts of Sabala such as the udders, the genitals, the anus and even the pores of her skin, blazed like the sun and wiped out the infantry, cavalry, foot soldiers of Vishwamitra’s army. His 100 sons charged towards Vasishtha with weapons. The sage didn’t have to move a finger. He just let out a big roar and all the sons and the remaining army were burnt to ashes.
Vishwamitra the bold king was filled with shame and remorse as he saw what happened. Just as if the ocean was made bereft of its mighty force, a poisonous snake was defanged or the lustrous sun suddenly eclipsed, Vishwamitra lost his lustre. Only one of his 100 sons remained. He asked him to rule the world according to the qualities befitting a Kshatriya and he went towards the Himalayas where the Kinnaras—beings that looked almost human, but not yet—and Nagas, the snakes lived.
He began severe austerities to please Lord Mahadeva. Since Mahadeva is called Ashutoshi or one who is easily pleased, he appeared before Vishwamitra and asked him for what reason he had taken up such austerities.
Vishwamitra appealed to the Lord. “If you are pleased with my austerity, may all the secrets of archery, weaponry and the science of warfare be revealed to me. May all the weapons used by the Devas, Asuras, Gandharvas and Yakshas flash before my vision. May my wish be fulfilled by your grace,” prayed Vishwamitra and the Lord said, “So be it!” and disappeared.
All the austerities did in no way make Vishwamitra humble. Empowered with all the knowledge of warfare and the weapons, he only became proud as a peacock and very arrogant. He charged towards Vasishtha’s ashram and discharged all his weapons. Caught in a mysterious attack, all the birds and animals of the grove fled in fear. Hundreds of hermits who were living there too fled.
Vasishtha had all the while been shouting, “Do not be afraid.” However, the hermitage was empty and desolate in just an hour.
Vasishtha thought enough was enough. He faced Vishwamitra and said, “O, you fool of the most wicked conduct, since you have sought to destroy my hermitage, you will cease to be.” Vasishtha who seemed like another Lord Yama, the god of death, took a long Yoga Danda staff in his hand. He appeared before Vishwamitra like the fire without smoke that is ready to destroy the whole world.
With this ends the 55th canto of ‘Bala Kanda’, the first chapter of the Srimad Ramayana.
The author is Sevak, Chinmaya Mission, Tiruchi; email: brni.sharanyachaitanya@gmail.com; www.chinmayamission.com