Vishvamitra's Attempt to Seize Nandini and His Humiliation
Exhausted from hunting, King Vishvamitra arrives at Sage Vashishtha's hermitage and is lavishly hosted by the sage's divine cow, Nandini. Coveting her power, Vishvamitra tries to buy her, then tries to seize her by force. When Vashishtha refuses to retaliate, the cow herself creates armies that rout the king's forces, leading to a crisis of identity that changes his life forever.
The Gandharva began his tale. There was a great king in Kanyakubja named Gadhi, devoted to true dharma (righteousness). His virtuous son was Vishvamitra, a conqueror of enemies with many armies. Once, tired and exhausted from pursuing a deer, Vishvamitra came to the hermitage of the sage Vashishtha.
The illustrious rishi welcomed the king, offering him water to wash and forest fare. The great-souled Vashishtha possessed a kamadhenu (wish-fulfilling cow) named Nandini. When asked, she produced whatever was desired: products of villages and forests, herbs, milk, juices with six different flavours that tasted like ambrosia, and every type of food. The king, his ministers, and his entourage were honoured with everything in abundant measure and were greatly satisfied.
With great surprise, Vishvamitra saw Vashishtha’s beautiful cow — six measures long, with beautiful flanks, large udders, and handsome horns. Gratified, he saluted the cow and then made an offer to the rishi. “O Brahmana! Give me Nandini in exchange for my kingdom or for 10,000 cows. Enjoy the kingdom.”
Vashishtha refused. “O king! I keep this milk-yielding cow for the sake of the gods, ancestors, guests and sacrificial offerings. Nandini cannot be given away, even in exchange for your kingdom.”
Vishvamitra’s tone changed. “I am a Kshatriya (warrior) and you are only a Brahmana devoted to studies and austerities. How can there be strength in Brahmanas who are peaceful and control themselves? If you don’t give me what I want, I will not give up my own dharma. I will take the cow away by force.”
Vashishtha’s reply was calm. “You are a powerful king with an army. You are a Kshatriya with valour in your arms. Do what you wish quickly, and without thinking over it.”
Thus addressed, Vishvamitra seized the cow. He dragged her here and there and beat her with a stick. Nandini bellowed piteously and came to stand near Vashishtha, raising her head up at him. Though beaten, she did not leave the hermitage.
Vashishtha said to her, “O fortunate Nandini! I hear your repeated cries. But you are being taken away by force. What can a forgiving Brahmana do?”
Frightened, she came closer. “O illustrious one! Why do you overlook it when I am beaten by the sticks and lashes of Vishvamitra’s fearful army? Why do you orphan me when I am crying?”
The great sage did not lose his patience. “A Kshatriya’s strength is his energy. A Brahmana’s strength is his forbearance. I cannot give up forbearance. If you wish, go.”
Nandini pleaded, “O illustrious one! Are you forsaking me in this way? If you do not forsake me, I cannot be taken away by force.”
Vashishtha said, “O blessed one! I am not forsaking you. Stay, if you can. Tethered with a strong rope, your calf is now being taken away by force.”
Hearing him say ‘stay’, Vashishtha’s cow raised up her head and neck and became fearful to look at. Eyes red with anger, she attacked Vishvamitra’s army from all sides. Stung by their sticks, her anger increased. A shower of burning embers was unleashed from her tail. She blazed like the midday sun.
Then she created armies from her own body. From her tail came an army of pahlavas. From her dung came armies of shabaras and shakas. From her urine came an army of yavanas. From her froth, she produced pundras, kiratas, dramidas, Simhalas, barbaras, daradas and mlecchas (all names for various foreign or tribal peoples).
Before Vishvamitra’s own eyes, these many armies of mlecchas, clad in armour and armed with weapons, scattered his large army. Every one of his soldiers was surrounded by five or seven of hers and, with a shower of weapons, was dispersed and fled in panic. Though greatly enraged, not a single one of Vishvamitra’s soldiers was killed. His army was driven three yojanas away, crying out with no saviour to be found.
On seeing this amazing sight born out of a Brahmana’s powers, Vishvamitra was disgusted. He said, “A curse on my Kshatriya powers! The true power is that of a Brahmana. In judging weakness and strength, I see that true strength arises from the power of austerities.”
He gave up his prosperous kingdom and his radiant regal fortune. Turning his back on all pleasures, he decided to devote himself to austerities. Through his power of austerities, he became successful and filled the worlds with his radiance. Through all his radiant energy, he became a Brahmana. Kushika’s son, Vishvamitra, eventually drank the soma juice with Indra himself.