(This is the second half of Chapter 51 in Balakanda of Sri Valmeeki Ramayana where Shatananda, the virtuous Minister of Janaka Maharaja, divulges the story of Sage Vishwmitra. It is an interesting story. Hope it meets with the approval of all my Facebook friends. Read it, comment and share it, if you like)
Hearing the pleasant words of knowledgeable Vishwamitra, most radiant Shatananda told Rama:
“Supreme human Raghava, it is our good fortune that you have arrived here along with indefatigable sage Vishwamitra. You are welcome. Vishwamitra can do impossible and unbelievable tasks with ease. He can do things that others can hardly imagine. He has become a Brahmarshi through penance alone. His influence is infinite. His power is immensurable. Please be aware that most radiant Vishwamitra, who is an outstanding performer of penance, can do the best of fa
vour to you. He is your protector. Certainly, you are the luckiest person on earth. What is the power of this great person’s penance? What a divine history he has? I will tell all these things in detail, please listen to me.”
“In the past, he was a spirituous, scholarly, learned king thinking always about the welfare of his subjects. For several years, he was ruling his kingdom, destroying all his enemies. I will now tell you his family tree, please listen. Rama, Prajapati Brahma had a son called Kusha, who was born out of the mind of Lord Brahma, He had been created by Lord Brahma exclusive for looking after the subjects and therefore, he had become the emperor of the world. Virtuous, powerful and strong Kushanabha was his son. A famous person called Gadhi was born to Kushanabha as the son. ThE son of that great Gadhi is none other this Maharshi Vishwamitra. As I told you earlier, being a very strong and powerful king, he was ruling over this land, which he inherited from his predecessors, with good culture and tradition. Once, he got his Akshauhini army ready and began an expedition of travelling around the world. After crossing many towns, cities, countries, rivers and rivulets, mountains, hills, valleys, dense forest and hermitages which were the abodes of great Maharshis, before finally landing in the hermitage of sage Vasishtha. The charm of that Ashram was inexplicably enchanting. It was covered with a variety of flower-yielding plants and creepers of pleasant and rare fragrance and charm. That ashram was adorned with Sidhdhas, Gandharvas, Charanas, Kinnaras and other celestial beings. It was covered with calm deer. Several outstanding Brahmins were living there. Many Brahmrshis, Devarshis were doing penance in that hermitage. Outstanding students of Veda, who were as radiant as fire, were there. That hermitage was entirely filled with great persons, who were equal to four-faced Lord Brahma. Some of them were consuming water as food; some were inhaling the air as food and indulging in penance; some were eating the withered leaves of trees as food and a few were consuming roots and fruits. All of them had control over external and internal organs; they had overpowered anger. That hermitage was adorned with Valakhilyas1 and Vaikhanasas, who were engaged in meditation and penance. What else can I say, Rama, the hermitage of Vasishtha was certainly existing like another Brahma Loka. Vishwamitra, who was the greatest of victorious persons and was very strong, visited such a wonderful and divine hermitage.
Hearing the pleasant words of knowledgeable Vishwamitra, most radiant Shatananda told Rama:
“Supreme human Raghava, it is our good fortune that you have arrived here along with indefatigable sage Vishwamitra. You are welcome. Vishwamitra can do impossible and unbelievable tasks with ease. He can do things that others can hardly imagine. He has become a Brahmarshi through penance alone. His influence is infinite. His power is immensurable. Please be aware that most radiant Vishwamitra, who is an outstanding performer of penance, can do the best of fa
“In the past, he was a spirituous, scholarly, learned king thinking always about the welfare of his subjects. For several years, he was ruling his kingdom, destroying all his enemies. I will now tell you his family tree, please listen. Rama, Prajapati Brahma had a son called Kusha, who was born out of the mind of Lord Brahma, He had been created by Lord Brahma exclusive for looking after the subjects and therefore, he had become the emperor of the world. Virtuous, powerful and strong Kushanabha was his son. A famous person called Gadhi was born to Kushanabha as the son. ThE son of that great Gadhi is none other this Maharshi Vishwamitra. As I told you earlier, being a very strong and powerful king, he was ruling over this land, which he inherited from his predecessors, with good culture and tradition. Once, he got his Akshauhini army ready and began an expedition of travelling around the world. After crossing many towns, cities, countries, rivers and rivulets, mountains, hills, valleys, dense forest and hermitages which were the abodes of great Maharshis, before finally landing in the hermitage of sage Vasishtha. The charm of that Ashram was inexplicably enchanting. It was covered with a variety of flower-yielding plants and creepers of pleasant and rare fragrance and charm. That ashram was adorned with Sidhdhas, Gandharvas, Charanas, Kinnaras and other celestial beings. It was covered with calm deer. Several outstanding Brahmins were living there. Many Brahmrshis, Devarshis were doing penance in that hermitage. Outstanding students of Veda, who were as radiant as fire, were there. That hermitage was entirely filled with great persons, who were equal to four-faced Lord Brahma. Some of them were consuming water as food; some were inhaling the air as food and indulging in penance; some were eating the withered leaves of trees as food and a few were consuming roots and fruits. All of them had control over external and internal organs; they had overpowered anger. That hermitage was adorned with Valakhilyas1 and Vaikhanasas, who were engaged in meditation and penance. What else can I say, Rama, the hermitage of Vasishtha was certainly existing like another Brahma Loka. Vishwamitra, who was the greatest of victorious persons and was very strong, visited such a wonderful and divine hermitage.
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