Bala Kanda, Sarga 56

Meaning

Aiming a missile presided over by the god of fire, when challenged as aforesaid by Vasiṣṭha, the very mighty Viśwāmitra said, “Stay awhile ! Wait a bit !!” (1)

Meaning

Steadily uplifting his Brahmanical staff, which looked like another rod of Yama, the almighty Vaśiṣṭha angrily spoke as follows : (2)

Meaning

“Here I stand, O unworthy Kṣatriya ! Pray, exhibit whatever might you possess; I shall crush your pride as well as the pride of your weapons today, O son of Gādhi ! (3)

Meaning

“Of what account is your martial strength when compared to the great power of a Brāhmaṇa? Behold my divine Brahmanical power, O disgrace to the Kṣatriyas !” (4)

Meaning

That terrible and excellent missile presided over by the god of fire and hurled by the celebrated son of Gādhi was neutralized by the Brahmanical staff of Vasiṣṭha, as the fury of a fire is counteracted by water. (5)

Meaning

The enraged son of Gādhi discharged a missile presided over by Varuṇa, the god of water, as well as another presided over by Rudra (the god of destruction), nay, a third presided over by Indra (the ruler of gods) and a fourth presided over by Lord Śiva (the Protector of the Jīva, which has been likened to a beast because of its bondage) as also the one made of a reed. (6)

Meaning

He then hurled, O scion of Raghu, at Vasiṣṭha, the foremost of ascetics, all the following missiles—the one presided over by Swāyambhuva Manu, as also another possessing the virtue of stupefying the person aimed at, another presided over by Gandharvas, even so, a missile inducing sleep, another that induces yawning, still another that inebriates the person against whom it is directed, as well as a couple of missiles that severally torment by heating and melt the object aimed at, still another that dries up (by sucking its moisture), as well as a missile that rends the object aimed at, a missile presided over by Indra’s thunderbolt—a missile which is so very difficult to prevail against—a missile presided over by Brahmā’s noose, another presided over by the noose of Kāla, the god of death, as well as a missile presided over by the noose of Varuṇa, the missile known by the name of Pināka, beloved of Lord Śiva, also the two kinds of Indra’s thunderbolts, dry as well as wet, a missile presided over by Yama (the god of punishment), another presided over by Piśācas (fiends) as well as a missile presided over by Krauñca (the name of a mountain), the missiles presided over by the discuses of Dharma, the god of virtue, Kāla (the Time-Spirit), as well as of Viṣṇu, as also a missile presided over by the wind-god, another that kills by churning, and the one presided over by Lord Hayagrīva, a manifestation of Lord Viṣṇu credited with the head of a horse, the two kinds of javelins, the missiles known by the names of Kaṅkāla and Musala, the great missile presided over by Vidyādharas (heavenly artistes) and then the terrible missile presided over by Kāla (the god of death), nay, the fearful missile popularly known as the trident and the missiles known by the names of Kapāla and Kaṅkaṇa. The wonder of it, however, was that Vasiṣṭha (a son of Brahmā) neutralized them all by means of his staff alone. (7—13)

Meaning

The aforesaid missiles having been rendered ineffectual, Viśwāmitra (son of Gādhi) discharged Brahmāstra, a missile presided over by Brahmā, the creator. The gods with the god of fire as their leader, the celestial sages and Gandharvas alongwith eminent Nāgas were struck with awe to see that missile ready for being hurled. Nay, all the three worlds were alarmed when the said missile presided over by Brahmā was fully discharged. (14-15)

Meaning

Vasiṣṭha, however, neutralized even that exceptionally terrible Brahmāstra in its entirety, including all its limbs, by his Brahmanical staff combined with the Brahmanical (spiritual) glory, O scion of Raghu ! (16)

Meaning

While the mighty Vasiṣṭha was consuming the Brahmāstra, he assumed a most violent and fierce aspect that stupefied all the three worlds. (17)

Meaning

From all the pores of skin of the high-souled Vasiṣṭha shot forth like as many rays, tongues of fire enveloped in smoke (the smoke issuing from the extinguished Brahmāstra). (18)

Meaning

Even the Brahmanical staff raised in the hand of Vasiṣṭha blazed forth like the smokeless fire of universal destruction or like a second rod of Yama (the god of punishment). (19)

Meaning

Thereupon hosts of sages glorified as follows Vasiṣṭha, the foremost of ascetics : “Unfailing is your might, O holy one ! Quench the fire of your person as well as of the Brahmanical staff by your own glory. (20)

Meaning

“The very mighty Viśwāmitra has been tamed by you, O holy Brāhmaṇa ! Your power knows no failure, O noblest soul ! Let the worlds be rid of their agony.” (21)

Meaning

Prayed to in these words, the exceptionally glorious and mighty Vasiṣṭha regained his natural calm; and, heaving a deep sigh, the worsted Viśwāmitra spoke as follows : (22)

Meaning

“Reproachful is the might of a Kṣatriya. Even so, the strength proceeding from the glory of a Brāhmaṇa is real strength. All my missiles stand neutralized by a single Brahmanical staff.” (23)

Meaning

Clearly perceiving this superiority of Brahmanical glory, therefore, I shall with my senses and mind purified undertake severe austerities that will enable me to attain Brahmanhood in this very life.” (24)