(King Kaushika tries to threaten Vasishtha. This is the latter half of Chapter 53, Balakanda, Sri Valmeeki Ramayana. Please read, comment and share it. SDN)
With Vasishtha saying all these things, eloquent Kaushika spoke a bit emotionally:
“Maharshi, I will give fourteen thousand elephants, adorned with gold chains in the neck and waist, and gold hooks (Ankush), towards the value of Shabala. I will give eight hundred gold chariots bedecked with thousands of gold bells and driven by four Stallions each. I will give very fast-p
aced 1,010 horses born in Kambhoja, Bahleeka2 and other countries and belonging to the Gandharva community. I will also give one crore young, multi-colored and mulching cows. Taking all these things, you give me only this wonderful cow. If you still feel that this value is less, then I will bring and submit whatever number of heaps of pearls and diamonds you may wish. At least by taking any amount of materials that you may desire, please give this Shabala to me.”
Even after hearing the emotional and excited words of clever Vishwamitra, Brahmarshi Vasishtha replied in a cool and timid tone:
“Maharaja, irrespective of what might happen or what you are going to give, I will certainly not give my Shabala to you.
YEtadEva hi mE ratnamEtadEva hi mE Dhanam|
YEtadEva hi sarvaswamEtadEva hi jeevitam||23||
This Shabala is the heap of pearls to me. She is my wealth and she is everything to me. She is my life. She is the day, months, Yajnas, the gifts related to Yajna, and many more acts are my Shabala. Due to her presence only all my activities are happening. All the routine and meritorious acts that I am performing every day are reliant on Shabala and she is the origin of all those activities. There is no need to have any doubts about this. Most certainly, I will not give this Shabala, who has made me realise everything I desire, however much you may get excited or try to propitiate me in this regard.”
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