Summary
Vishvamitra becomes Brahma-sage after a prolonged [continued] asceticism that made all the worlds to startle [frighten]. All Gods request Brahma to accord [give heartly] the supreme Brahma-sageship on Vishvamitra as he is cleansed of all mortal impurities, and Brahma accords that highest order on him. Thus Sage Shataananda concludes his narration about the legend of Vishvamitra.
Chapter [Sarga] 65 – in Detail
That great-saint Vishvamitra then leaving off the snowbound Himalayas on north, oh, Rama, he reached eastern quarter and undertook rigorous asceticism. Thus Sage Shataananda continued the legend of Vishvamitra. [1-65-1]
Committing himself to a vow of muteness [remaining silent], oh, Rama, he performed an unexcelled and unmatched asceticism which is highly impracticable for others to perform. [1-65-2]
Even on completing a thousand years, even when that great-saint became woodenly, even many barriers are at full blast, oh, Rama, fury has not entered his heart of hearts, for he stood fast in an unmitigated asceticism on making a firm determination. [1-65-3, 4a]
On one day when those thousand years of asceticism with the rigorous pledge of Vishvamitra are being completed, and when he started to eat his meal, oh, Rama, best of Raghu's dynasty, Indra arrived there disguising himself as a Brahman and requested for the readily available meal. [1-65-4b, 5]
Then that Godly Vishvamitra willingly gave away all the readied [to make ready] meal to that Brahman, and as no meal is leftover by Brahman-Indra, that great-ascetic Vishvamitra starved himself. Vishvamitra did not speak a little to the Brahman in dissent [differed in opinion] as he is abided by his pledge of muteness, and he again remained in muteness and breath-control. Like that, he indeed carried on his asceticism. [1-65-6, 7]
That eminent saint remained without respiration for another thousand years, and then fumes have started to emit from the head of sage who is controlling his breath, by which fumes the triad [three worlds] of worlds looked as if it is searing [very hot], and this startled [frightened] all the worlds. [1-65-8, 9a]
Then the Gods, sages, Gandharva-s, serpents, reptiles, demons are puzzled at the asceticism of Vishvamitra, and as their own resplendence [splendor] is dulled by the asceticism of Vishvamitra, thereby they are marred [distracted] by this blemish [purity] of lowered resplendence, then all of them addressed the Grandparent, Brahma. [1-65-9b, 10]
Even if that great-saint Vishvamitra is angered and allured [to entice by charm or attraction] in order to foil his ascetical ascendancy [domination], by all of us and by all means oh, God, he is transcending these lures [temptations], angers, and passions by his asceticism. [1-65-11]
Now, even an imperceptible [extremely slight, gradual, or subtle] imperfection does not really appear in him, but if his heartfelt desire is not meted [measured] out, he will devastate the triad of worlds with his ascetic power. [1-65-12, 13a]
All the directions are all tumultuous [confused], all the oceans are tempestuous [turbulent], and all the mountains are eruptive [to burst live a volcano], and nothing is bright. [1-65-13b, 14a]
The earth is highly tremulous, air is gusting turbulently, oh, Brahma, people tend to become non-theistic [loose fait in God] and we do not know what to do. [1-65-14b, 15a]
All the beings in the triad [three] of the worlds are very highly perturbed [confused] at their senses and they are as though stupefied [astonished], and when juxtaposed [adjacent] the sun is lusterless before the resplendence [splendor] of that great sage. [1-65-15b, 16a]
Oh, God, great saint Vishvamitra turned out to be the embodiment of Fire-God, and before that great-resplendent and most reverential sage makes up his mind for total destruction of all worlds he is to be placated [pacified or appeased]. [1-65-16b, 17a]
As to how the End-Time Fire entirely blazed away the triad of worlds previously, now this sage may do likewise, hence whatever is his predilection [preference] that may be given to him, even if he wants to become the potentate [ruler] on the realm [kingdom] of Gods.' Thus, all Gods appealed to Brahma [1-65-17b, 18a]
Then all the assemblages of Gods keeping the Grandparent Brahma in their forefront appeared before that great souled Vishvamitra and said this harmonious word. [1-65-18b, 19a]
Oh, Brahma-sage, you are welcome. We are much contented with your asceticism. Oh, Kaushika, you have achieved Bahaman-hood by your rigorous asceticism. [1-65-19b, 20a]
Along with the assemblages of Marut-Wind-Gods, I bestow upon you a long life. Let blissfulness betide [to happen to] you. You be safe. Oh, gentle sage, you may take leave as you please.' Thus, Brahma said to Vishvamitra. [1-65-20b, 21a]
On hearing the word of Grandparent Brahma and the other residents of heaven, and on paying good devoirs [respect] to all of them that great saint cheerfully said. [1-65-21b, 22a]
If Brahman-hood and eternality have befallen on me, let the quintessence [representative] of AUM and vasat syllables, and even all Veda-s patronize [provide aid to] me. [1-65-22b, 23a]
Oh, Gods, he who is the outstanding one among the geniuses of kingcraft, and among the scholars of Veda-s as well, even that Vashishta, the brainchild of Brahma, shall acknowledge me in this way as Brahma-sage. Oh, the best Gods, you may take leave if you can effectuate [effect] this ultimate yearning [urgent longing] of mine.' Thus Vishvamitra requested the Gods. [1-65-23b, 24]
Then the best one among mediators Vashishta has come over there when the Gods besought [to request earnestly] him to come, and he made friendship with Vishvamitra. He also said in this way to Vishvamitra, 'you are a Brahma-sage.' [1-65-25]
No doubt, you are a Brahma-sage and everything will accrue to you in accordance with the sublimity [the quality or state of being elevate or exalt] of this sageship,' and when Vashishta said so to Vishvamitra, all the Gods have gone away as they have come. [1-65-26]
On getting his Brahman-hood even the virtue-souled Vishvamitra started to reverence the supreme among mediators and his counterpart Brahma-sage, namely Vashishta. [1-65-27]
When his aim is effectuated [fulfilled] Vishvamitra ambled [to go at] all over the earth abiding in asceticism, and oh, Rama, this great souled sage Vishvamitra achieved Brahman-hood in this way. [1-65-28]
Oh, Rama, he is the best saint, he is the embodiment of asceticism, he is always obliged with righteousness, and he is the stronghold for fortitude [strength]. [1-65-29]
On narrating the legend of Vishvamitra in this way that best Brahman and great-resplendent Sage Shataananda took respite [an interval of rest]. And on listening the narration of Sage Shataananda said in the presence of Rama and Lakshmana, king Janaka said this sentence to Kushika's son, Vishvamitra, with suppliantly [humbly] adjoined palms. [1-65-30b, 31a]
Oh, eminent sage Vishvamitra, you happened to be here at this Vedic-ritual which is conducted by me, oh, Kaushika, that too, along with Rama and Lakshmana, the legatees of Kakutstha, thereby I am fortunate, I am much obliged. [31b, 32a]
Oh, Brahman, I stand consecrated [sacred] just by your graceful glance, and oh, great saint, I reckon that I have achieved many boons just glancing at you. [1-65-32b, 33a]
Oh, great-resplendent Brahman, myself and the noble souled Rama have heard about your great asceticism when Sage Shataananda extolled [to praise highly] it comprehensively. [1-65-33b, 34a]
The Congregationalists [assembly of persons or gathering] available in this Vedic-ritual congregation [assembly of persons or gathering] have also heard about your numerous endowments. Inestimable is your asceticism, infinite is your power, and oh, son of Kushika, your talents are everlastingly invaluable. [1-65-34b, 35]
Oh, lord, there is no contentment to me while listening to your wondrous [extraordinary] narratives, but oh nobleman, time for vespertine [evening] ritual is fast approaching as sun's sphere is dangling westward (i.e. sun set). [1-65-36]
Oh, great-resplendent sage, it will be apt of you to see me tomorrow. Oh, best mediator, it will be apt of you to permit me to leave for now. Thus Janaka sought leave from Vishvamitra. [1-65-37]
When he is spoken in that way, the best saint Vishvamitra is pleased at heart, and praising Janaka, who too is pleased to meet the sage, immediately bid farewell to the best one among men, namely Janaka. [1-65-38]
This way on saying to the best saint, the king of Mithila and the legatee of Videha lineage [descendents], immediately performed circumambulations [to go around in circle] along with his teachers and relatives to Vishvamitra in veneration [respect]. [1-65-39]
Even that virtue souled Vishvamitra started towards his own camp along with Rama and Lakshmana, while being venerated by great sages who are available in the ritual-hall. [1-65-40]
Thus, this is the 65th chapter in Bala Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
Sriman Moola Rama Vijayate
