RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN –CHAPTER 55
VASHISHTHA AND VISVAMITRA
Sabala’s warriors were hard pressed by the Astras of Visvamitra. Vasishtha cried to the cow, “your power is infinite. Bring forth fresh troops through your Yogic power.” At his word, Sabala gave forth a mighty grunt. Immediately there stood before her many armies. The Kambhojas were radiant like the sun. From her udders sprang forth Paplavas. They were fully armed. Yavanas came forth from her organs of generation. Sakas from her organs of excretion. Countless Mlechchas, Haritas and Kiratas came from every pore of her body. Soon nothing remained of the vast armies of Visvamitra. There were neither horses, nor chariots, nor elephants nor soldiers.
The ruler had a hundred sons. They were in a fury. They fell upon Vasishtha. He was a master of dread spells. He cried “Hum”. And they lay there in a heap of ashes. Their father became very angry. Shame gnawed him. He was also grief-stricken. Visvamitra was a miserable man. The king’s pride was broken. His energy was lost. His dear sons and proud army were destroyed. He became powerless even to lift a finger in defending them. But he resolved to live. He wanted to take revenge on his foe. He made a son king in his place. Visvamitra advised him to rule wisely. Then he went to the Himalayas. By terrible austerities he propitiated Mahadeva. Long years passed thus. At last Mahadeva appeared before him on his Bull.
“Why are these severe penances? What is your wish and you will have them? For, I am the Giver of Boons. And you have found favour with me. Speak and don’t hesitate.” Visvamitra bowed low in front of the Lord Mahadeva. He said to the Lord, “I wish to be initiated in the science of war. I want to be initiated in all its branches. Reveal to me its innermost secret. I want to know its potent spells unknown to others. I want perfect mastery over magic weapons of the Devas, the Asuras, the Gandharvas, the Yakshas, and the Rakshasas, sages and brave heroes.” “So be it” assented Mahadeva and vanished from view. And the proud Visvamitra became prouder still. He thought the feeble Vasishtha was already a dead man.
Visvamitra went straight to the peaceful hermitage of Vasishtha. He let loose the fires of his vengeance. The lovely spot became a lonely waste. The Saints fled away. Hundreds of thousands of them were scattered. After them, the disciples fled. The beasts and birds of the forest followed them. A moment ago it was a scene of peace and calm meditation. But now it was turned into a lonely waste.
Vasishtha was at last shaken out of his philosophical indifference. But he cried out in time, “Don’t be afraid, my friends. I will annihilate this son of Gadhi. He turned to Visvamitra and hissed, “Wretched fool! You have destroyed the shelter of many an innocent thing. your cup of iniquity is full. Your hour has come.”
He held aloft his magic wand. It was terrible as the smokeless Fire of Dissolution or as the fearful Rod of Death.
No comments:
Post a Comment