Bala Kanda · Sarga 56 of 77 · 24 verses
The Staff of Brahman
Vishvamitra aims the fire weapon at Vasishtha: “Stand! Stand!” Vasishtha raises his brahmadanda, the staff of Brahman, like a second staff of Death: “Here I stand, you disgrace to the warrior caste. Show whatever strength you have. Where is your warrior’s power before the great power of Brahman?” The fire weapon is quenched by the staff like fire by water.
In fury Vishvamitra hurls every weapon he has: the weapons of Varuna, Rudra, Indra and Pashupati, the Aishika, the Manava, the bewildering, sleep-bringing, yawning, maddening, burning, weeping, drying and splitting weapons, the thunderbolt, the nooses of Brahma, Kala and Varuna, Pinaka, the discuses of Dharma, Kala and Vishnu, and more. Vasishtha’s staff swallows them all. At last Vishvamitra releases the Brahma weapon itself, and gods, sages, gandharvas and serpents tremble; the three worlds are terrified. That too Vasishtha swallows with his staff. As he does, his form becomes terrible: flames like rays of fire shoot from every pore of his body, and the staff in his hand blazes like the smokeless fire of doom. The sages beg him to restrain his power; he grows calm. Vishvamitra, humiliated, sighs: “Damn the strength of a kshatriya! The strength of brahmic power is true strength. With one staff of Brahman all my weapons were destroyed. Seeing this, I will undertake great austerity, the kind that leads to brahmanahood.”
Press › to begin with verse 1.
एवमुक्तो वसिष्ठेन विश्वामित्रो महाबलः । आग्नेयमस्त्रमुद्दिश्य तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत् ॥ १ ॥
So addressed by Vasishtha, the mighty Vishvamitra aimed the fire weapon and cried, “Stand! Stand!”
वसिष्ठ के ऐसा कहने पर बलवान विश्वामित्र ने आग्नेय अस्त्र तानकर पुकारा, “ठहरो! ठहरो!”
Commentary on the whole sarga
The Staff of Brahman 1 min read.
Read the commentary CommentaryNot scripture Vishvamitra aims the fire weapon: “Stand! Stand!” A warrior’s cry. He still believes force will win.
Scene 1 of 2 · Vishvamitra hurls every weapon of the gods at Vasishtha, and the sage’s wooden staff swallows them all.
ब्रह्मदण्डं समुद्यम्य कालदण्डमिवापरम् । वसिष्ठो भगवान् क्रोधादिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ २ ॥
Raising the staff of Brahman, like a second staff of Time, the blessed Vasishtha said in anger:
काल के दूसरे दंड जैसा ब्रह्मदंड उठाकर भगवान वसिष्ठ ने क्रोध में कहा:
CommentaryNot scripture Vasishtha raises the brahma-danda , the staff of Brahman. A sage’s staff is a simple stick of wood, the sign of the ascetic. In his hand it becomes “a second staff of Time”.
Scene 1 of 2 · Vishvamitra hurls every weapon of the gods at Vasishtha, and the sage’s wooden staff swallows them all.
क्षत्रबन्धो स्थितोऽस्म्येष यद् बलं तद् विदर्शय । नाशयाम्यद्य ते दर्पं शस्त्रस्य तव गाधिज ॥ ३ ॥
“Disgrace to the kshatriyas, here I stand. Show whatever strength you have. Today I will destroy your pride in your weapons, son of Gadhi.
“क्षत्रियों के कलंक, मैं यहाँ खड़ा हूँ। जो भी बल तुम्हारे पास है, दिखाओ। गाधि-पुत्र, आज मैं अस्त्रों का तुम्हारा घमंड नष्ट कर दूँगा।
CommentaryNot scripture “Here I stand. Show your strength.” Vasishtha does not flee. He calls Vishvamitra a “disgrace to the kshatriyas”, because a true kshatriya protects hermitages; he does not burn them.
Scene 1 of 2 · Vishvamitra hurls every weapon of the gods at Vasishtha, and the sage’s wooden staff swallows them all.
क्व च ते क्षत्रियबलं क्व च ब्रह्मबलं महत् । पश्य ब्रह्मबलं दिव्यं मम क्षत्रियपांसन ॥ ४ ॥
“Where is your kshatriya strength, and where the great strength of Brahman? See my divine power of Brahman, you blot on the kshatriyas!”
“कहाँ तुम्हारा क्षत्रिय बल, और कहाँ ब्रह्म का महान बल? क्षत्रियों के कलंक, मेरी दिव्य ब्रह्म-शक्ति देखो!”
CommentaryNot scripture “Where is your kshatriya strength, and where the strength of Brahman?” The question at the heart of this whole story.
Scene 1 of 2 · Vishvamitra hurls every weapon of the gods at Vasishtha, and the sage’s wooden staff swallows them all.
तस्यास्त्रं गाधिपुत्रस्य घोरमाग्नेयमुत्तमम् । ब्रह्मदण्डेन तच्छान्तमग्नेर्वेग इवाम्भसा ॥ ५ ॥
That terrible, supreme fire weapon of the son of Gadhi was quenched by the staff of Brahman, as the force of fire is quenched by water.
गाधि-पुत्र का वह भयानक, परम आग्नेय अस्त्र ब्रह्मदंड से वैसे ही शांत हो गया, जैसे जल से आग का वेग शांत होता है।
CommentaryNot scripture The fire weapon is quenched by the staff “as fire is quenched by water”. The first exchange is over in an instant.
Scene 1 of 2 · Vishvamitra hurls every weapon of the gods at Vasishtha, and the sage’s wooden staff swallows them all.
वारुणं चैव रौद्रं च ऐन्द्रं पाशुपतं तथा । ऐषीकं चापि चिक्षेप कुपितो गाधिनन्दनः ॥ ६ ॥
Then the angry son of Gadhi hurled the weapons of Varuna and Rudra, of Indra and Pashupati, and the Aishika;
तब क्रोधित गाधि-पुत्र ने वरुण और रुद्र के, इंद्र और पशुपति के अस्त्र, और ऐषीक अस्त्र फेंके;
CommentaryNot scripture Then Vishvamitra hurls the weapons of Varuna, Rudra, Indra, Pashupati. The list that follows is the same list of weapons Vishvamitra gave Rama in sarga 27. We are seeing their first use, and their failure.
Scene 1 of 2 · Vishvamitra hurls every weapon of the gods at Vasishtha, and the sage’s wooden staff swallows them all.
मानवं मोहनं चैव गान्धर्वं स्वापनं तथा । जृम्भणं मादनं चैव संतापनविलापने ॥ ७ ॥
the Manava and the Mohana, the Gandharva and the Svapana, the Jrimbhana and the Madana, the Santapana and the Vilapana,
मानव और मोहन, गांधर्व और स्वापन, जृंभण और मादन, संतापन और विलापन,
CommentaryNot scripture Weapons of bewilderment, sleep, yawning, intoxication, burning, weeping. Every power is thrown at one old sage.
Scene 1 of 2 · Vishvamitra hurls every weapon of the gods at Vasishtha, and the sage’s wooden staff swallows them all.
शोषणं दारणं चैव वज्रमस्त्रं सुदुर्जयम् । ब्रह्मपाशं कालपाशं वारुणं पाशमेव च ॥ ८ ॥
the Shoshana and the Darana, the almost invincible thunderbolt weapon, the noose of Brahma, the noose of Kala and the noose of Varuna,
शोषण और दारण, लगभग अजेय वज्र अस्त्र, ब्रह्मपाश, कालपाश और वरुणपाश,
CommentaryNot scripture Drying, splitting, the thunderbolt, the nooses of Brahma, Kala and Varuna.
Scene 1 of 2 · Vishvamitra hurls every weapon of the gods at Vasishtha, and the sage’s wooden staff swallows them all.
पिनाकमस्त्रं दयितं शुष्कार्द्रे अशनी तथा । दण्डास्त्रमथ पैशाचं क्रौञ्चमस्त्रं तथैव च ॥ ९ ॥
the beloved Pinaka weapon and the two thunderbolts, dry and wet, the Danda weapon, the Paishacha and the Krauncha weapon,
प्रिय पिनाक अस्त्र और दोनों वज्र, सूखा और गीला, दंड अस्त्र, पैशाच और क्रौंच अस्त्र,
CommentaryNot scripture Pinaka, the thunderbolts, the Danda, Paishacha and Krauncha weapons.
Scene 1 of 2 · Vishvamitra hurls every weapon of the gods at Vasishtha, and the sage’s wooden staff swallows them all.
धर्मचक्रं कालचक्रं विष्णुचक्रं तथैव च । वायव्यं मथनं चैव अस्त्रं हयशिरस्तथा ॥ १० ॥
the discus of Dharma, the discus of Kala and the discus of Vishnu, the Vayavya, the Mathana and the weapon Hayashiras;
धर्मचक्र, कालचक्र और विष्णुचक्र, वायव्य, मथन और हयशिरस अस्त्र;
CommentaryNot scripture The discuses of Dharma, Kala and Vishnu. Even Vishnu’s discus is thrown.
Scene 1 of 2 · Vishvamitra hurls every weapon of the gods at Vasishtha, and the sage’s wooden staff swallows them all.
शक्तिद्वयं च चिक्षेप कङ्कालं मुसलं तथा । वैद्याधरं महास्त्रं च कालास्त्रमथ दारुणम् ॥ ११ ॥
he hurled the two spears, the Kankala and the Musala, the great weapon of the vidyadharas and the dreadful weapon of Kala,
उन्होंने दोनों शक्तियाँ, कंकाल और मूसल, विद्याधरों का महान अस्त्र और काल का भयानक अस्त्र फेंका,
CommentaryNot scripture Spears, the vidyadhara weapon, the weapon of Time.
Scene 1 of 2 · Vishvamitra hurls every weapon of the gods at Vasishtha, and the sage’s wooden staff swallows them all.
त्रिशूलमस्त्रं घोरं च कापालमथ कङ्कणम् । एतान्यस्त्राणि चिक्षेप सर्वाणि रघुनन्दन ॥ १२ ॥
the terrible trident weapon, the Kapala and the Kankana: all these weapons he hurled, delight of the Raghus,
भयानक त्रिशूल अस्त्र, कापाल और कंकण: रघुनंदन, ये सब अस्त्र उन्होंने फेंके,
CommentaryNot scripture The trident, the Kapala, the Kankana. Valmiki lists them all so we feel the full weight of the attack.
Scene 1 of 2 · Vishvamitra hurls every weapon of the gods at Vasishtha, and the sage’s wooden staff swallows them all.
वसिष्ठे जपतां श्रेष्ठे तदद्भुतमिवाभवत् । तानि सर्वाणि दण्डेन ग्रसते ब्रह्मणः सुतः ॥ १३ ॥
at Vasishtha, best of those who pray. Then something like a wonder happened: the son of Brahma swallowed them all with his staff.
जप करने वालों में श्रेष्ठ वसिष्ठ पर। तब एक आश्चर्य जैसी बात हुई: ब्रह्मा के पुत्र ने अपने दंड से उन सबको निगल लिया।
CommentaryNot scripture “Something like a wonder”: Vasishtha’s staff swallows every one. The whole divine arsenal vanishes into a stick of wood.
Scene 1 of 2 · Vishvamitra hurls every weapon of the gods at Vasishtha, and the sage’s wooden staff swallows them all.
तेषु शान्तेषु ब्रह्मास्त्रं क्षिप्तवान् गाधिनन्दनः । तदस्त्रमुद्यतं दृष्ट्वा देवाः साग्निपुरोगमाः ॥ १४ ॥
When those were quieted, the son of Gadhi hurled the Brahma weapon. Seeing that weapon raised, the gods led by Agni,
जब वे शांत हो गए, तब गाधि-पुत्र ने ब्रह्मास्त्र फेंका। उस अस्त्र को उठा हुआ देखकर अग्नि आदि देवता,
CommentaryNot scripture Then Vishvamitra throws his last and greatest weapon: the brahmastra , the weapon of Brahma. The gods are alarmed.
Scene 2 of 2 · Vasishtha blazes like the fire at the end of time; humbled, Vishvamitra vows to win the power of a brahmarshi.
देवर्षयश्च सम्भ्रान्ता गन्धर्वाः समहोरगाः । त्रैलोक्यमासीत् संत्रस्तं ब्रह्मास्त्रे समुदीरिते ॥ १५ ॥
the divine sages, the gandharvas and great serpents were alarmed; the three worlds were terrified when the Brahma weapon was released.
देवर्षि, गंधर्व और बड़े नाग घबरा गए; ब्रह्मास्त्र छोड़े जाने पर तीनों लोक भयभीत हो गए।
CommentaryNot scripture The three worlds are terrified. The brahmastra, in the epics, can destroy the world.
Scene 2 of 2 · Vasishtha blazes like the fire at the end of time; humbled, Vishvamitra vows to win the power of a brahmarshi.
तदप्यस्त्रं महाघोरं ब्राह्मं ब्राह्मेण तेजसा । वसिष्ठो ग्रसते सर्वं ब्रह्मदण्डेन राघव ॥ १६ ॥
That most terrible weapon of Brahma, too, Vasishtha swallowed entirely with the staff of Brahman, by his brahmic power, Raghava.
राघव, उस अत्यंत भयानक ब्रह्मास्त्र को भी वसिष्ठ ने अपनी ब्रह्म-शक्ति से ब्रह्मदंड द्वारा पूरा निगल लिया।
CommentaryNot scripture Vasishtha swallows the brahmastra too, “by his brahmic power”. The weapon of Brahma is absorbed by the power of Brahman. Spiritual power contains even the highest worldly power.
Scene 2 of 2 · Vasishtha blazes like the fire at the end of time; humbled, Vishvamitra vows to win the power of a brahmarshi.
ब्रह्मास्त्रं ग्रसमानस्य वसिष्ठस्य महात्मनः । त्रैलोक्यमोहनं रौद्रं रूपमासीत् सुदारुणम् ॥ १७ ॥
As great-souled Vasishtha swallowed the Brahma weapon, his form became fierce and most dreadful, bewildering the three worlds.
जब महात्मा वसिष्ठ ने ब्रह्मास्त्र को निगला, तब उनका रूप तीनों लोकों को भ्रमित करने वाला उग्र और अत्यंत भयानक हो गया।
CommentaryNot scripture Having swallowed it, Vasishtha’s form becomes terrible, bewildering the three worlds. Such power, even contained, is frightening.
Scene 2 of 2 · Vasishtha blazes like the fire at the end of time; humbled, Vishvamitra vows to win the power of a brahmarshi.
रोमकूपेषु सर्वेषु वसिष्ठस्य महात्मनः । मरीच्य इव निष्पेतुरग्नेर्धूमाकुलार्चिषः ॥ १८ ॥
From all the pores of great-souled Vasishtha’s body, rays like the smoke-wreathed flames of fire shot forth.
महात्मा वसिष्ठ के शरीर के सब रोमकूपों से धुएँ से घिरी आग की लपटों जैसी किरणें निकलने लगीं।
CommentaryNot scripture Flame-like rays shoot from every pore of his body. The gentle sage blazes like the world’s end.
Scene 2 of 2 · Vasishtha blazes like the fire at the end of time; humbled, Vishvamitra vows to win the power of a brahmarshi.
प्राज्वलद् ब्रह्मदण्डश्च वसिष्ठस्य करोद्यतः । विधूम इव कालाग्नेर्यमदण्ड इवापरः ॥ १९ ॥
And the staff of Brahman raised in Vasishtha’s hand blazed like the smokeless fire at the end of time, like a second staff of Yama.
और वसिष्ठ के हाथ में उठा ब्रह्मदंड धुएँ के बिना प्रलय की आग की तरह, यमराज के दूसरे दंड की तरह दमकने लगा।
CommentaryNot scripture The staff blazes “like the smokeless fire at the end of time”. Valmiki uses the same image as before, now intensified.
Scene 2 of 2 · Vasishtha blazes like the fire at the end of time; humbled, Vishvamitra vows to win the power of a brahmarshi.
ततोऽस्तुवन् मुनिगणा वसिष्ठं जपतां वरम् । अमोघं ते बलं ब्रह्मंस्तेजो धारय तेजसा ॥ २० ॥
Then the hosts of sages praised Vasishtha, best of those who pray: “Your strength never fails, brahmana. Hold back your energy by your energy.
तब मुनियों के समूहों ने जप करने वालों में श्रेष्ठ वसिष्ठ की स्तुति की: “ब्राह्मण, आपका बल कभी विफल नहीं होता। अपने तेज को अपने तेज से रोक लीजिए।
CommentaryNot scripture The sages beg him: “Hold back your energy by your energy.” The same request the gods made to Shiva in sarga 36. True power must also be restrained.
Scene 2 of 2 · Vasishtha blazes like the fire at the end of time; humbled, Vishvamitra vows to win the power of a brahmarshi.
निगृहीतस्त्वया ब्रह्मन् विश्वामित्रो महाबलः । अमोघं ते बलं श्रेष्ठ लोकाः सन्तु गतव्यथाः ॥ २१ ॥
“Mighty Vishvamitra has been subdued by you, brahmana. Your strength never fails, best one; let the worlds be free of distress.”
“ब्राह्मण, आपने बलवान विश्वामित्र को दबा दिया है। श्रेष्ठ, आपका बल अचूक है; संसार दुख से मुक्त हो।”
CommentaryNot scripture “Let the worlds be free of distress.” The sages fear what Vasishtha’s victory could do to the world.
Scene 2 of 2 · Vasishtha blazes like the fire at the end of time; humbled, Vishvamitra vows to win the power of a brahmarshi.
एवमुक्तो महातेजाः शमं चक्रे महाबलः । विश्वामित्रो विनिकृतो विनिःश्वस्येदमब्रवीत् ॥ २२ ॥
So addressed, the radiant and mighty one grew calm. Vishvamitra, humiliated, sighed and said:
ऐसा कहे जाने पर तेजस्वी और बलवान वसिष्ठ शांत हो गए। अपमानित विश्वामित्र ने आह भरकर कहा:
CommentaryNot scripture Vasishtha grows calm at once. His anger is fierce, but he can set it down. Vishvamitra, humiliated, sighs.
Scene 2 of 2 · Vasishtha blazes like the fire at the end of time; humbled, Vishvamitra vows to win the power of a brahmarshi.
धिग् बलं क्षत्रियबलं ब्रह्मतेजोबलं बलम् । एकेन ब्रह्मदण्डेन सर्वास्त्राणि हतानि मे ॥ २३ ॥
“Damn strength! The strength of a kshatriya is no strength; the strength of brahmic power is strength. By a single staff of Brahman all my weapons were destroyed.
“धिक्कार है बल को! क्षत्रिय का बल बल नहीं; ब्रह्म-तेज का बल ही बल है। एक ही ब्रह्मदंड से मेरे सब अस्त्र नष्ट हो गए।
CommentaryNot scripture “Damn strength! The strength of a kshatriya is no strength.” This is the turning point of Vishvamitra’s life. He sees that all his weapons could not move one old man with a stick.
Scene 2 of 2 · Vasishtha blazes like the fire at the end of time; humbled, Vishvamitra vows to win the power of a brahmarshi.
तदेतत् प्रसमीक्ष्याहं प्रसन्नेन्द्रियमानसः । तपो महत् समास्थास्ये यद् वै ब्रह्मत्वकारणम् ॥ २४ ॥
“Having seen this clearly, with my senses and mind made clear, I will undertake great austerity, that which is the cause of brahmanahood.”
“यह स्पष्ट देखकर, इंद्रियों और मन को निर्मल करके, मैं वह महान तप करूँगा जो ब्राह्मणत्व का कारण है।”
CommentaryNot scripture “I will undertake the austerity that leads to brahmanahood.” The defeated king decides to become what defeated him. This is the beginning of one of the greatest transformations in Indian story: from king to brahmarshi. It will take thousands of years and many falls.
Scene 2 of 2 · Vasishtha blazes like the fire at the end of time; humbled, Vishvamitra vows to win the power of a brahmarshi.
