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
atha haimavatiim raama disham tyaktvaa mahaamunih |
puurvaam disham anupraapya tapah tepe sudaarunam || 1-65-1
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]
maunam varsa sahasrasya kritvaa vratam anuttamam |
cakaara apratimam raama tapah parama duskaram || 1-65-2
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]
puurne varsa sahasre tu kaastha bhuutam mahaamunim |
vighnaih bahubhih aadhuutam krodho na antaram aavishat || 1-65-3
sah kritvaa nishcayam raama tapa aatistat avyayam |
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]
tasya varsa sahasrasya vrate puurne mahaavratah || 1-65-4
bhoktum aarabdhavaan annam tasmin kaale raghuuttama |
indro dvijaatih bhuutvaa tam siddha annam ayaacat || 1-65-5
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]
tasmaih dattvaa tadaa siddham sarvam vipraaya nishcitah |
nihshesite anne bhagavaan abhuktvaa iva mahaatapaah || 1-65-6
na kimcit avadat vipram mauna vratam upaasthitah |
tathaa eva aasiit punah maunam anucchvaasam cakaara ha || 1-65-7
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]
atha varsa sahasram ca na ucchvasan munipungavah |
tasya anucchvasamaanasya muurdhni dhuumo vyajaayata || 1-65-8
trai lokyam yena sa.mbhraa.ntam aataapitam iva abhavat |
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]
tato devarsi gandharvaah pannaga uraga raaksasaah || 1-65-9
mohitaa tapasaa tasya tejasaa ma.ndarashmayah |
kashmala upahataah sarve pitaamaham atha abruvan || 1-65-10
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]
bahubhih kaaranaih deva vishvaamitro mahaamunih |
lobhitah krodhitah caiva tapasaa ca abhivarhdhate || 1-65-11
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]
na hi asya vrijinam ki.mcit drishyate suuksmam api atha |
na diiyate yadi tu asya manasaa yat abhiipsitam || 1-65-12
vinaashayati trailokyam tapasaa sa cara acaram |
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]
vyaakulaah ca dishah sarvaa na ca ki.mcit prakaashate || 1-65-13
saagaraah ksubhitaah sarve vishiiryante ca parvataah |
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]
praka.mpate ca vasudhaa vaayuh vaati iha samkulah || 1-65-14
brahman napratijaaniimo naastiko jaayate janah |
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]
sammuudham iva trailokyam samprakshubhita maanasam || 1-65-15
bhaaskaro nisprabhah caiva maharseh tasya tejasaa |
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]
buddhim na kurute yaavat naashe deva mahaamunih || 1-65-16
taavat prasaado bhagavaan agni ruupo mahaadyutih |
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]
kaala agninaa yathaa puurvam trailokyam dahyate akhilam || 1-65-17
deva raajyam cikiirseta diiyataam asya yat matam |
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]
tatah sura ganaah sarve pitaamaha purogamaah || 1-65-18
vishvaamitram mahaatmaanam vaakyam madhuram abruvan |
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]
brahmarse svaagatam te astu tapasaa sma su tositaah || 1-65-19
braahmanyam tapasaa ugrena praaptavaan asi kaushika |
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]
diirgham aayuh ca te brahman dadaami sa marud ganah || 1-65-20
svasti praapnuhi bhadram te gaccha saumya yathaa sukham |
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]
pitaamaha vacah shrutvaa sarvesaam tridiva okasaam || 1-65-21
kritvaa pranaamam mudito vyaajahaara mahaamunih |
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]
braahmanyam yadi me praaptam diirgham aayuh tathaiva ca || 1-65-22
AUM kaaro atha vasat kaaro vedaah ca varayantu maam |
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]
ksatra vedavidaam shrestho brahma vedavidaam api || 1-65-23
brahma putro vasistho maam evam vadatu devataah |
yadi ayam paramah kaamah krito yaantu surarsabhaah || 1-65-24
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]
tatah prasaadito devaih vasistho japataam varah |
sakhyam cakaara brahmarsih evam astu iti ca abraviit || 1-65-25
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]
brahmarsih tvam na sa.ndehah sarvam sampadyate tava |
iti uktvaa devataah ca api sarvaa jagmuh yathaa aagatam || 1-65-26
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]
vishvaamitro api dharmaatmaa labdhvaa braahmanyam uttamam |
puujayaamaasa brahmarsim vasistham japataam varam || 1-65-27
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]
krita kaamo mahiim sarvaam cacaara tapasi sthitah |
evam tu anena braahmanyam praaptam raama mahaatmanaa || 1-65-28
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]
esa raama muni shrestha esa vigrahavaan tapah |
esa dharmah paro nityam viiryasya esa paraayanam || 1-65-29
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]
evam uktvaa mahaatejaa viraraama dvijottamah |
shataananda vacah shrutvaa raama laksmana sannidhau ||1-65-30
janakah praa.njalih vaakyam uvaaca kushikaaatmajam |
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]
dhanyo asmi anugrihiito asmi yasya me munipungava || 1-65-31
yajnam kaakutstha sahitah praaptavaan asi kaushika |
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]
paavito aham tvayaa brahman dar.hshanena mahaamune || 1-65-32
gunaa bahu vidhaah praaptaah tava sandarshanaat mayaa |
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]
vistarena ca vai brahman kiirtyamaanam mahattapah || 1-65-33
shrutam mayaa mahaatejo raamena ca mahaatmanaa |
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]
sadasyaih praapya ca sadah shrutaah te bahavo gunaah || 1-65-34
aprameyam tapah tubhyam aprameyam ca te balam |
aprameyaa gunaah caiva nityam te kushikaatmaja || 1-65-35
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]
triptih aashcarya bhuutaanaam kathaanaam na asti me vibho |
karma kaalo muni shrestha lambate ravi mandalam || 1-65-36
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]
shvah prabhaate mahaatejo drastum ar.hhasi maam punah |
svaagatam japataam shrestha maam anujnaatum arhhasi || 1-65-37
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]
evam ukto munivarah prashasya purusarsabham |
visasarja aashu janakam priitam priitimaan tadaaa || 1-65-38
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]
evam uktvaa muni shrestham vaideho mithilaa adhipah |
pradaksinam cakaara aashu sa upaadhyaayah sa baandhavah || 1-65-39
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]
vishvaamitro api dharmaatmaa saha raamah sa laksmanah |
svam vaasam abhicakraama puujyamaano maharhsibhih || 1-65-40
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]
iti vaalmiiki raamaayane aadi kaavye baala kaande pa.nca sastitamah sargah
Thus, this is the 65th chapter in Bala Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
Sriman Moola Rama Vijayate