Arjuna said: How the hostility between Vishvamitra and Vasishtha, both of whom lived in celestials hermitages? Tell us all this in detail. arose

The Gandharva said : O Partha, this history of Vasishtha is considered as a Purana in all the worlds. Listen to me as I recite it in detail.

O best of the Bharata race, there was a great king in Kanyakubja; known in the world by the name of Gadhi, he was the son of Kushika.

His son was know by the name of Vishvamitra. That chastiser of foes, Vishvamitra, was virtuous-minded; and he had a large army of troop and beasts of burdens.

He wandered with his ministers in the deep forest for the purpose of hunting Killing deer and boars, he roamed through the charming marshes.

Being (one day) fatigued and thirsty by the exercise of the hunt that best of men, came to the hermitage of Vasishtha.

Seeing him coming, the illustrious and blessed Rishi, Vasishtha, advanced to salute that best of men, Vishvamitra.

O descendant of Bharata, he (Vasishtha) worshipped him (Vishvamitra) by asking his welfare, by offering Arghya and water to wash his face and feet and by collected forest fruits and ghee.

The illustrious Rishi had a Kamadhenu, (a cow yielding every thing as desired.) when she was addressed by saying "Give” she always gave what was desired.

O Arjuna, the Rishi received from her various wild fruits and grown corn of gardens and fields, milk, many excellent nutritious was viands filled with six different kinds of juice which was like ambrosia itself, various other kinds of enjoyable things of ambrosial taste, things for drinking and eating, for lapping and sucking and many precious gems and various costly robes. With these desirable objects in profusion, the king (Vishvamitra) worshipped. And he with his ministers and troops was became exceedingly glad.

He (Vishvamitra) became very much astonished to see that cow which had six elevated limbs, beautiful flanks and hips, fine broad limbs, limbs, frog-like prominent eyes, beautiful size, high udders, faultless make, straight and up-lifted ears, handsome horns and well-developed head and neck.

O prince, that king, the son of Gadhi, was exceedingly gratified with all that he saw and very much praising (the cow) Nandini he thus spoke to the Rishi (Vasishtha),

"O Brahmana, O great Rishi, give me (your) Nandini (cow) in exchange of ten thousand kine, or of my kingdom. Give her to me and enjoy my kingdom.

Vasishtha said: O sinless one, this milk-giving cow is kept by me for the purposes of the celestials, the Pitris and the guests and for my scarifies. Nandini cannot he given to you) in exchange of even your kingdom.

Vishvamitra said : I am a Kshatriya and your respected self is a Brahmana devoted to study and asceticism. Is there prowess in Brahmanas who are peaceful and have their souls under control?

When you do not give me what I desire to have in exchange of ten thousand kine, I shall not abandon the duty of my race (that of the Kshatriya). I will take your cow by force.

Vasishtha said: You are a powerful king, you are a Kshatriya possessing great strength of arms; do what you desire without delay and without stopping to consider over it.

The Gandharva said: O Partha, having been thus addressed, Vishvamitra then sized the cow Nandini as white as the swan or the moon.

He dragged her hither and thither and afflicted her by striking her with a stick. The blessed Nandini cried piteously and came near Vasishtha.

O Partha, she stood near him with up-lifted face staring at the illustrious Rishi. Though very much ill-treated, she did not quit the Rishi's hermitage.

Vasishtha said: O amiable Nandini, you are crying again and again and I hear your cries. But Vishvamitra is taking you away by force; what can I do? I am a forgiving Brahmana.

The Gandharva said : O best of the Bharata race, being alarmed at the sight of Vishvamitra's troops and being terrified by Vishvamitra himself, Nandini came closer to Vasishtha.

Nandini said: O illustrious Sir, I am afflicted by the : stripes of the fearful troops of Vishvamitra I am crying piteously like one who has none; why are you so indifferent to me?

The Gandharva said : The great Rishi did not lose his patience, nor did he depart from his vow of forgiveness on hearing the words of the crying and persecuted Nandini.

Vasishtha said : The might of the Kshatriyas lies in their physical strength, that of the Brahmanas lies in their forgiveness. I cannot give up forgiveness. If you like, you can go.

Nandini said : O illustrious Sir, have you abandoned me that you say so? O Brahmana, if you do not abandon me, I cannot be taken away by force.

Vasishtha said : O blessed one, I do not abandon you. Stay if you can. Your calf, tied with a strong rope, is (even now) being carried away by force.

The Gandharva said : Having heard the word 'Stay,' that cow of Vasishtha (Nandini) raised up her head and neck and became fearful to look at.

With eyes red in anger and with repeated roars, she then attacked Vishvamitra's troop on all sides.

Afflicted with their stripes and being dragged hither and thither, her anger (doubly) ! increased and her eyes became red in wrath.

Blazing in anger, she soon become fearful to look at as the sun at mid day. She began incessantly to shower burning coals from her tail.

A few moments after she brought forth from her tail an army of Palhavas, from her udders an army of Dravidas and Shakas, from her womb an army of Yavanas, from her dung an army of Shabaras.

From her urine an army of Kanchis and from her sides an army of Saravanas; and from the froth of her mouth that cow created hosts of Kiratas, Yavanas, Singhalas, Barbaras, Chibuakas, Pulindas, Chinas, Hunas and Keralas and many other Mlecchas.

Those large armies of Mlecchas, cloud in various uniforms and armed with various weapons, as soon as they sprang into life, spre Ading all around attacked before his very sight the troops of Vishvamitra, five or seven attacking one.

Assailed with a great shower of weapons, Vishvamitra's troops before his very sight broke and fled panic stricken in all directions.

O best of the Bharata race, though greatly excited with anger, the troops of Vasishtha did not take the life of any of Vishvamitra's troops.

That cow (Nandini) simply drove the troops (of Vishvamitra) to a distance. Being thus driven full seventy seven miles, the troops of Vishvamitra,

Becoming panic-stricken, cried aloud and did see none who could protect them. Seeing this great and wonderful feat of the Brahma might,

Vishvamitra become disgusted with the Kshatriya might and spoke thus, "Fie on the Kshatriya prowess? The Brahma might is the true might.

In judging of strength and weakness, I see asceticism is true strength.” Thereupon that best of kings abandoning his kingdom and regal splendour,

And turning his back on all pleasures, set his mind on asceticism, he filled the world with his effulgence.

Afflicted all with his effulgence, he became a Brahmana. The son of Kushika, (Vishvamitra) at last drank the Soma (ambrosia) with Indra himself.