Bala Kanda · Sarga 55 of 77 · 28 verses
Defeat, and the Weapons from Shiva
Seeing his warriors confused by Vishvamitra’s weapons, Vasishtha tells Shabala to create more by her yogic power. From her lowing come Kambojas bright as the sun; from her udder, Barbaras with weapons; from her womb, Yavanas; from her dung, Shakas; from her pores, Mlecchas, Haritas and Kiratas. In a moment they destroy Vishvamitra’s entire army. A hundred of Vishvamitra’s sons rush at Vasishtha with every kind of weapon; the great sage burns them all to ash with a single “Hum!”
Vishvamitra, his sons and army destroyed, is filled with shame: like an ocean without waves, a snake with broken fangs, the eclipsed sun, a bird with clipped wings. He sets one remaining son to rule and goes to the forest. On the Himalaya he practises austerity to win Shiva’s favour. When Shiva appears and offers a boon, he asks for the whole science of archery with its secrets, and knowledge of every weapon known to gods, danavas, sages, gandharvas, yakshas and rakshasas. Shiva grants it. Swollen with pride, thinking Vasishtha already dead, Vishvamitra returns and fires his weapons into the hermitage, burning the grove of austerity. Sages, disciples, deer and birds flee in thousands, and the hermitage falls silent like a desert. Vasishtha calls out again and again, “Do not fear! I will destroy the son of Gadhi today as the sun destroys mist,” and, raising his staff in anger like the fire at the end of time, he says to Vishvamitra: “Because you have destroyed this long-cherished hermitage, fool of evil conduct, you will cease to be.”
Press › to begin with verse 1.
ततस्तानाकुलान् दृष्ट्वा विश्वामित्रास्त्रमोहितान् । वसिष्ठश्चोदयामास कामधुक् सृज योगतः ॥ १ ॥
Then, seeing them confused and bewildered by Vishvamitra’s weapons, Vasishtha urged: “Wish-cow, create by your yoga.”
तब विश्वामित्र के अस्त्रों से उन्हें घबराया और भ्रमित देखकर वसिष्ठ ने प्रेरित किया: “कामधेनु, अपने योग से रचना करो।”
Commentary on the whole sarga
Defeat, and the Weapons from Shiva 1 min read.
Read the commentary CommentaryNot scripture Vasishtha urges Shabala: “Create by your yoga.” The cow’s power is spiritual: her warriors are born of concentrated will.
Scene 1 of 2 · Defeated, his army and sons gone, the proud king sits broken like a bird with clipped wings.
तस्या हुंकारतो जाताः काम्बोजा रविसंनिभाः । ऊधसश्चाथ सम्भूता बर्बराः शस्त्रपाणयः ॥ २ ॥
From her lowing were born Kambojas bright as the sun; from her udder arose Barbaras with weapons in hand;
उसके रँभाने से सूर्य जैसे तेजस्वी कांबोज उत्पन्न हुए; उसके थनों से हाथ में हथियार लिए बर्बर उठे;
CommentaryNot scripture Kambojas from her lowing, Barbaras from her udder. Each people springs from a different part of the sacred cow.
Scene 1 of 2 · Defeated, his army and sons gone, the proud king sits broken like a bird with clipped wings.
योनिदेशाच्च यवनाः शकृद्देशाच्छकाः स्मृताः । रोमकूपेषु म्लेच्छाश्च हारीताः सकिरातकाः ॥ ३ ॥
from her womb came Yavanas, from her dung Shakas, it is said; and from her pores Mlecchas, Haritas and Kiratas.
उसकी योनि से यवन, उसके गोबर से शक, ऐसा कहा जाता है; और उसके रोमकूपों से म्लेच्छ, हारीत और किरात।
CommentaryNot scripture Yavanas, Shakas, Mlecchas, Haritas, Kiratas. A mythic list of peoples on the edges of the ancient Indian world. The story imagines the whole wide world rising to defend the sage.
Scene 1 of 2 · Defeated, his army and sons gone, the proud king sits broken like a bird with clipped wings.
तैस्तन्निषूदितं सर्वं विश्वामित्रस्य तत्क्षणात् । सपदातिगजं साश्वं सरथं रघुनन्दन ॥ ४ ॥
By them, in a moment, all of Vishvamitra’s army was destroyed, with infantry, elephants, horses and chariots, delight of the Raghus.
रघुनंदन, उन्होंने क्षण भर में पैदल सेना, हाथियों, घोड़ों और रथों सहित विश्वामित्र की सारी सेना नष्ट कर दी।
CommentaryNot scripture In a moment, the king’s whole army is destroyed. Military power, however vast, has failed against spiritual power.
Scene 1 of 2 · Defeated, his army and sons gone, the proud king sits broken like a bird with clipped wings.
दृष्ट्वा निषूदितं सैन्यं वसिष्ठेन महात्मना । विश्वामित्रसुतानां तु शतं नानाविधायुधम् ॥ ५ ॥
अभ्यधावत् सुसंक्रुद्धं वसिष्ठं जपतां वरम् । हुंकारेणैव तान् सर्वान् निर्ददाह महानृषिः ॥ ६ ॥
Seeing the army destroyed by great-souled Vasishtha, a hundred of Vishvamitra’s sons, with weapons of every kind, rushed in fury at Vasishtha, best of those who pray. The great sage burned them all with a single “Hum!”
महात्मा वसिष्ठ द्वारा सेना को नष्ट हुआ देखकर विश्वामित्र के सौ पुत्र हर प्रकार के हथियार लेकर क्रोध में जप करने वालों में श्रेष्ठ वसिष्ठ पर झपटे। महामुनि ने एक ही ‘हुं’ से उन सबको भस्म कर दिया।
CommentaryNot scripture A hundred of Vishvamitra’s sons charge Vasishtha. He burns them with a single “Hum”. The same syllable that Kapila used on Sagara’s sons. The sage did not attack; he defended.
Scene 1 of 2 · Defeated, his army and sons gone, the proud king sits broken like a bird with clipped wings.
ते साश्वरथपादाता वसिष्ठेन महात्मना । भस्मीकृता मुहूर्तेन विश्वामित्रसुतास्तथा ॥ ७ ॥
With their horses, chariots and foot-soldiers, Vishvamitra’s sons were turned to ash in a moment by great-souled Vasishtha.
घोड़ों, रथों और पैदल सैनिकों सहित विश्वामित्र के पुत्र महात्मा वसिष्ठ द्वारा क्षण भर में राख बना दिए गए।
CommentaryNot scripture Sons, horses, chariots, foot-soldiers: all ash in a moment.
Scene 1 of 2 · Defeated, his army and sons gone, the proud king sits broken like a bird with clipped wings.
दृष्ट्वा विनाशितान् सर्वान् बलं च सुमहायशाः । सव्रीडं चिन्तयाविष्टो विश्वामित्रोऽभवत् तदा ॥ ८ ॥
Seeing all of them destroyed, and his army too, the greatly renowned Vishvamitra was filled with shame and brooding.
उन सबको और अपनी सेना को भी नष्ट हुआ देखकर महायशस्वी विश्वामित्र लज्जा और चिंता से भर गए।
CommentaryNot scripture Vishvamitra is filled with shame and brooding. The proudest king on earth has lost everything to a hermit.
Scene 1 of 2 · Defeated, his army and sons gone, the proud king sits broken like a bird with clipped wings.
समुद्र इव निर्वेगो भग्नदंष्ट्र इवोरगः । उपरक्त इवादित्यः सद्यो निष्प्रभतां गतः ॥ ९ ॥
Like the ocean without its surge, like a serpent with broken fangs, like the eclipsed sun, he lost his splendour at once.
लहरों के बिना समुद्र की तरह, टूटे दाँतों वाले सर्प की तरह, ग्रहण लगे सूर्य की तरह, वे तुरंत अपनी कांति खो बैठे।
CommentaryNot scripture Three images of lost power: an ocean without waves, a snake with broken fangs, an eclipsed sun. Valmiki shows the inner collapse.
Scene 1 of 2 · Defeated, his army and sons gone, the proud king sits broken like a bird with clipped wings.
हतपुत्रबलो दीनो लूनपक्ष इव द्विजः । हतसर्वबलोत्साहो निर्वेदं समपद्यत ॥ १० ॥
His sons and army slain, wretched, like a bird with clipped wings, all his strength and spirit destroyed, he fell into despair.
पुत्र और सेना मारे जाने पर दीन, कटे पंखों वाले पक्षी की तरह, सारा बल और उत्साह नष्ट होने पर वे निराशा में डूब गए।
CommentaryNot scripture “Like a bird with clipped wings.” His strength and spirit are gone. This is the low point from which his transformation begins.
Scene 1 of 2 · Defeated, his army and sons gone, the proud king sits broken like a bird with clipped wings.
स पुत्रमेकं राज्याय पालयेति नियुज्य च । पृथिवीं क्षत्रधर्मेण वनमेवाभ्यपद्यत ॥ ११ ॥
Appointing one son to the kingdom, saying “Protect the earth by the dharma of kshatriyas,” he went to the forest.
एक पुत्र को राज्य पर नियुक्त करके, यह कहकर कि “क्षत्रिय धर्म से पृथ्वी की रक्षा करो,” वे वन को चले गए।
CommentaryNot scripture He gives the kingdom to his one surviving son and goes to the forest. The king leaves his throne for the first time. His journey to sainthood has begun, though his motive is still revenge.
Scene 1 of 2 · Defeated, his army and sons gone, the proud king sits broken like a bird with clipped wings.
स गत्वा हिमवत्पार्श्वे किंनरोरगसेवितम् । महादेवप्रसादार्थं तपस्तेपे महातपाः ॥ १२ ॥
Going to the slope of the Himalaya, frequented by kinnaras and serpents, the great ascetic practised austerity to win the favour of Mahadeva.
किन्नरों और नागों से सेवित हिमालय की ढलान पर जाकर उस महातपस्वी ने महादेव की कृपा पाने के लिए तप किया।
CommentaryNot scripture He practises austerity on the Himalaya to win Shiva’s favour. He has learned that brahmana power is stronger; now he seeks it, but for the wrong reason.
Scene 2 of 2 · Armed with Shiva’s weapons, Vishvamitra burns the hermitage, and Vasishtha raises his simple wooden staff against him.
केनचित् त्वथ कालेन देवेशो वृषभध्वजः । दर्शयामास वरदो विश्वामित्रं महामुनिम् ॥ १३ ॥
After some time, the lord of gods, whose banner is the bull, the giver of boons, showed himself to the great sage Vishvamitra:
कुछ समय बाद वृषभ-ध्वज वाले, वर देने वाले देवेश्वर (शिव) ने महामुनि विश्वामित्र को दर्शन दिए:
CommentaryNot scripture Shiva appears, “giver of boons”. Even austerity motivated by anger is rewarded in this world. Discipline is powerful, whatever its aim.
Scene 2 of 2 · Armed with Shiva’s weapons, Vishvamitra burns the hermitage, and Vasishtha raises his simple wooden staff against him.
किमर्थं तप्यसे राजन् ब्रूहि यत् ते विवक्षितम् । वरदोऽस्मि वरो यस्ते कांक्षितः सोऽभिधीयताम् ॥ १४ ॥
“Why do you practise austerity, king? Tell me what you wish to say. I am the giver of boons; name the boon you desire.”
“राजन, तुम तप क्यों कर रहे हो? मुझे बताओ तुम क्या कहना चाहते हो। मैं वर देने वाला हूँ; जो वर चाहते हो, बताओ।”
CommentaryNot scripture “Name the boon.”
Scene 2 of 2 · Armed with Shiva’s weapons, Vishvamitra burns the hermitage, and Vasishtha raises his simple wooden staff against him.
एवमुक्तस्तु देवेन विश्वामित्रो महातपाः । प्रणिपत्य महादेवं विश्वामित्रोऽब्रवीदिदम् ॥ १५ ॥
So addressed by the god, Vishvamitra of great austerity bowed down to Mahadeva and said:
देवता के ऐसा कहने पर महातपस्वी विश्वामित्र ने महादेव को प्रणाम करके कहा:
CommentaryNot scripture Vishvamitra bows.
Scene 2 of 2 · Armed with Shiva’s weapons, Vishvamitra burns the hermitage, and Vasishtha raises his simple wooden staff against him.
यदि तुष्टो महादेव धनुर्वेदो ममानघ । सांगोपांगोपनिषदः सरहस्यः प्रदीयताम् ॥ १६ ॥
“If you are pleased, Mahadeva, sinless one, give me the science of archery, with its limbs and sub-limbs, its upanishads and its secrets.
“निष्पाप महादेव, यदि आप प्रसन्न हैं, तो मुझे अंगों और उपांगों, उपनिषदों और रहस्यों सहित धनुर्वेद दीजिए।
CommentaryNot scripture He asks for the whole science of archery, “with its limbs, upanishads and secrets”. Still a warrior’s request. He wants better weapons, not wisdom.
Scene 2 of 2 · Armed with Shiva’s weapons, Vishvamitra burns the hermitage, and Vasishtha raises his simple wooden staff against him.
यानि देवेषु चास्त्राणि दानवेषु महर्षिषु । गन्धर्वयक्षरक्षःसु प्रतिभान्तु ममानघ ॥ १७ ॥
“Whatever weapons there are among the gods, the danavas and the great sages, among gandharvas, yakshas and rakshasas, let them come to me, sinless one.
“देवताओं, दानवों और महर्षियों में, गंधर्वों, यक्षों और राक्षसों में जो भी अस्त्र हैं, निष्पाप, वे मेरे पास आ जाएँ।
CommentaryNot scripture Every weapon of gods, demons, sages, gandharvas and rakshasas. These are the very weapons he will later give to Rama (sarga 27). His defeat here becomes Rama’s gift later.
Scene 2 of 2 · Armed with Shiva’s weapons, Vishvamitra burns the hermitage, and Vasishtha raises his simple wooden staff against him.
तव प्रसादाद् भवतु देवदेव ममेप्सितम् । एवमस्त्विति देवेशो वाक्यमुक्त्वा गतस्तदा ॥ १८ ॥
“By your grace, god of gods, let my wish be granted.” Saying “So be it,” the lord of gods went away.
“देवों के देव, आपकी कृपा से मेरी इच्छा पूरी हो।” “ऐसा ही हो” कहकर देवेश्वर चले गए।
CommentaryNot scripture “So be it.” Shiva grants it and leaves.
Scene 2 of 2 · Armed with Shiva’s weapons, Vishvamitra burns the hermitage, and Vasishtha raises his simple wooden staff against him.
प्राप्य चास्त्राणि देवेशाद् विश्वामित्रो महाबलः । दर्पेण महता युक्तो दर्पपूर्णोऽभवत् तदा ॥ १९ ॥
Having received the weapons from the lord of gods, mighty Vishvamitra was filled with great pride, swollen with arrogance.
देवेश्वर से अस्त्र पाकर बलवान विश्वामित्र बड़े घमंड से भर गए, अहंकार से फूल गए।
CommentaryNot scripture Vishvamitra is “swollen with arrogance”. Power received without humility only feeds pride.
Scene 2 of 2 · Armed with Shiva’s weapons, Vishvamitra burns the hermitage, and Vasishtha raises his simple wooden staff against him.
विवर्धमानो वीर्येण समुद्र इव पर्वणि । हतं मेने तदा राम वसिष्ठमृषिसत्तमम् ॥ २० ॥
Growing in power like the ocean at the full moon, he thought the best of sages, Vasishtha, already slain, Rama.
पूर्णिमा के समुद्र की तरह शक्ति में बढ़ते हुए, राम, उन्होंने मुनिश्रेष्ठ वसिष्ठ को मरा हुआ ही समझा।
CommentaryNot scripture “Like the ocean at full moon” his power swells. He already counts Vasishtha as dead. Overconfidence again.
Scene 2 of 2 · Armed with Shiva’s weapons, Vishvamitra burns the hermitage, and Vasishtha raises his simple wooden staff against him.
ततो गत्वाऽऽश्रमपदं मुमोचास्त्राणि पार्थिवः । यैस्तत् तपोवनं नाम निर्दग्धं चास्त्रतेजसा ॥ २१ ॥
Then the king went to the hermitage and let loose his weapons, by whose fire that grove of austerity was burned.
तब राजा आश्रम गए और अपने अस्त्र छोड़े, जिनकी आग से वह तपोवन जल गया।
CommentaryNot scripture He attacks the hermitage with his weapons, and the grove of austerities burns. He has become the destroyer of holy places, the very thing Rama will fight.
Scene 2 of 2 · Armed with Shiva’s weapons, Vishvamitra burns the hermitage, and Vasishtha raises his simple wooden staff against him.
उदीर्यमाणमस्त्रं तद् विश्वामित्रस्य धीमतः । दृष्ट्वा विप्रद्रुता भीता मुनयः शतशो दिशः ॥ २२ ॥
Seeing the weapon of the wise Vishvamitra being hurled, the frightened sages fled in hundreds in every direction.
बुद्धिमान विश्वामित्र के अस्त्र को फेंके जाते देखकर भयभीत मुनि सैकड़ों की संख्या में हर दिशा में भाग गए।
CommentaryNot scripture The sages flee in hundreds.
Scene 2 of 2 · Armed with Shiva’s weapons, Vishvamitra burns the hermitage, and Vasishtha raises his simple wooden staff against him.
वसिष्ठस्य च ये शिष्या ये च वै मृगपक्षिणः । विद्रवन्ति भयाद् भीता नानादिग्भ्यः सहस्रशः ॥ २३ ॥
Vasishtha’s disciples, and the deer and birds, ran in terror by thousands toward every quarter.
वसिष्ठ के शिष्य, और हिरण और पक्षी, हज़ारों की संख्या में डर से हर दिशा की ओर भागे।
CommentaryNot scripture Disciples, deer and birds run in terror. The peaceful hermitage of sarga 51 is devastated.
Scene 2 of 2 · Armed with Shiva’s weapons, Vishvamitra burns the hermitage, and Vasishtha raises his simple wooden staff against him.
वसिष्ठस्याश्रमपदं शून्यमासीन्महात्मनः । मुहूर्तमिव निःशब्दमासीदीरिणसंनिभम् ॥ २४ ॥
The hermitage of great-souled Vasishtha became empty; for a moment it was silent, like a barren waste.
महात्मा वसिष्ठ का आश्रम सूना हो गया; क्षण भर के लिए वह बंजर भूमि की तरह मौन हो गया।
CommentaryNot scripture The hermitage falls silent, “like a barren waste”. A powerful image of what violence does to a place of peace.
Scene 2 of 2 · Armed with Shiva’s weapons, Vishvamitra burns the hermitage, and Vasishtha raises his simple wooden staff against him.
वदतो वै वसिष्ठस्य मा भैरिति मुहुर्मुहुः । नाशयाम्यद्य गाधेयं नीहारमिव भास्करः ॥ २५ ॥
As Vasishtha called out again and again, “Do not fear! Today I will destroy the son of Gadhi, as the sun destroys mist,”
जब वसिष्ठ बार-बार पुकार रहे थे, “डरो मत! आज मैं गाधि के पुत्र को वैसे ही नष्ट कर दूँगा जैसे सूर्य कोहरे को,”
CommentaryNot scripture Vasishtha calls out: “Do not fear! I will destroy him as the sun destroys mist.” The sage remains calm in the ruins.
Scene 2 of 2 · Armed with Shiva’s weapons, Vishvamitra burns the hermitage, and Vasishtha raises his simple wooden staff against him.
एवमुक्त्वा महातेजा वसिष्ठो जपतां वरः । विश्वामित्रं तदा वाक्यं सरोषमिदमब्रवीत् ॥ २६ ॥
having said this, the radiant Vasishtha, best of those who pray, spoke to Vishvamitra in anger:
यह कहकर जप करने वालों में श्रेष्ठ तेजस्वी वसिष्ठ ने क्रोध में विश्वामित्र से कहा:
CommentaryNot scripture Now Vasishtha is angry.
Scene 2 of 2 · Armed with Shiva’s weapons, Vishvamitra burns the hermitage, and Vasishtha raises his simple wooden staff against him.
आश्रमं चिरसंवृद्धं यद् विनाशितवानसि । दुराचारो हि यन्मूढस्तस्मात् त्वं न भविष्यसि ॥ २७ ॥
“Since you have destroyed this hermitage, long cherished, and since you are foolish and of evil conduct, you shall cease to be.”
“क्योंकि तुमने बहुत समय से पोषित इस आश्रम को नष्ट किया है, और तुम मूर्ख और दुराचारी हो, इसलिए तुम नहीं रहोगे।”
CommentaryNot scripture “You have destroyed this long-cherished hermitage.” Vasishtha names the crime: the destruction of something nurtured for ages.
Scene 2 of 2 · Armed with Shiva’s weapons, Vishvamitra burns the hermitage, and Vasishtha raises his simple wooden staff against him.
इत्युक्त्वा परमक्रुद्धो दण्डमुद्यम्य सत्वरः । विधूम इव कालाग्निर्यमदण्डमिवापरम् ॥ २८ ॥
Having said this, in the greatest anger he quickly raised his staff, like the fire at the end of time without smoke, like a second staff of Yama.
यह कहकर उन्होंने परम क्रोध में जल्दी से अपना दंड उठाया, जो धुएँ के बिना प्रलय की आग जैसा, यमराज के दूसरे दंड जैसा था।
CommentaryNot scripture He raises his staff (brahma-danda ), “like the fire at the end of time, like Yama’s staff”. A simple wooden staff, held by a sage, against all the weapons of the gods. The next sarga shows which is stronger.
Scene 2 of 2 · Armed with Shiva’s weapons, Vishvamitra burns the hermitage, and Vasishtha raises his simple wooden staff against him.
