माहात्म्यं च वसिष्ठस्य विश्वामित्रस्य भाषते
He speaks of the greatness of both Vasiṣṭha and Viśvāmitra.
इदं वासिष्ठमाख्यानं पुराणं पुण्यमुत्तमम्। पार्थ सर्वेषु लोकेषु विश्रुतं तन्निबोध मे
This ancient, supremely holy tale of Vasiṣṭha is renowned in all the worlds, O Pārtha; listen to it from me.
कल्माषपाद इत्येवं लोके राजा बभूव ह। इक्ष्वाकुवंशजः पार्थ तेजसाऽसदृशो भुवि
A king named Kalmāṣapāda was born in the world, O Pārtha, descended from the Ikṣvāku lineage, unmatched in brilliance on earth.
स कदाचिद्वनं राजा मृगयां निर्ययौ पुरात्। मृगान्विध्यन्वराहांश्च चचार रिपुमर्दनः
Once, that king set out from his city into the forest for hunting; the destroyer of foes roamed about, striking down deer and boars.
तस्मिन्वने महाघोरे खङ्गांश्च बहुशोऽहनत्। हत्वा च सुचिरं श्रान्तो राजा निववृते ततः
In that dreadful forest, he slew many tigers, and after killing for a long time, the king became weary and turned back.
अकामयत्तं याज्यार्थे विश्वामित्रः प्रतापवान्। स तु राजा महात्मानं वासिष्ठमृषिसत्तमम्
At that time, the mighty Viśvāmitra, intent on a sacrifice, did not desire it; but the king encountered the great-souled, foremost sage Vasiṣṭha.
तृषार्तश्च क्षुधार्तश्च एकायनगतः पथि। अपश्यदजितः सङ्ख्ये मुनिं प्रतिमुखागतम्
Parched with thirst and tormented by hunger, the unconquered king, traveling alone on the path, saw the sage approaching him face to face.
शक्तिं नाम महाभागं वसिष्ठकुलवर्धनम्। ज्येष्ठं पुत्रं पुत्रशताद्वसिष्ठस्य महात्मनः
He saw Śakti by name, greatly fortunate, the enhancer of the Vasiṣṭha lineage, the eldest among the hundred sons of the great-souled Vasiṣṭha.
अपगच्छ पथोऽस्माकमित्येवं पार्थिवोऽब्रवीत्। तथा ऋषिरुवाचैनं सान्त्वयञ्श्लक्ष्णया गिरा
‘Step aside from our path,’ said the king; but the sage gently replied to him, soothing with kind words.
मम पन्था महाराज धर्म एष सनातनः। `वृद्धभीरुनृपस्नातस्त्रीरोगिवरचक्रिणाम्
‘This is my path, O great king; such is the eternal law: for the aged, the fearful, the king, the bather, women, the sick, and those bearing burdens—
पन्था देयो नृपैस्तेषामन्यैस्तैस्तस्य भूपतेः।' राज्ञा सर्वेषा धर्मेषु देयः पन्था द्विजातये
—the path must be yielded by others, O king; and above all, the path should always be given to a twice-born by all kings, according to righteousness.’
एवं परस्परं तौ तु पथोऽर्थं वाक्यमूचतुः। अपसर्पापसर्पेति वागुत्तरमकुर्वताम्
Thus, the two exchanged words about the right of way, each saying, ‘Step aside, step aside,’ and gave no ground.
ऋषिस्तु नापचक्राम तस्मिन्धर्मपथे स्थितः। `अपि राजा मुनेर्मार्गात्क्रोधान्नापजगाम ह
The sage did not move aside, steadfast in the path of righteousness; nor did the king, out of anger, yield the sage’s path.
अमुञ्चन्तं तु पन्थानं तमृषिं नृपसत्तमः। जगाम कशया मोहात्तदा राक्षसन्मुनिम्
But when the sage would not yield the path, the foremost of kings, deluded, struck the sage with his whip, at that moment possessed by a Rākṣasa.
कशाप्रहाराभिहतस्ततः स मुनिसत्तमः। तं शशाप नृपश्रेष्ठं वासिष्ठः क्रोधमूर्च्छितः
Then, struck by the lash, that eminent sage, Vasiṣṭha, overwhelmed with anger, cursed that foremost king.
हंसि राक्षसवद्यस्माद्राजापशद तापसम्। तस्मात्त्वमद्यप्रभृति पुरुषादो भविष्यसि
Because you have slain a sage as one would slay a demon, O king, you shall henceforth become a cannibal.
मनुष्यपिशिते सक्तश्चरिष्यसि महीमिमाम्। गच्छ राजाधमेत्युक्तः शक्तिना वीर्यशक्तिना
Attached to human flesh, you shall roam this earth; go, O wicked king, thus spoken by Śakti, endowed with great power.
ततो याज्यनिमित्तं तु विश्वामित्रवसिष्ठयोः। वैरमासीत्तदा तं तु विश्वामित्रोऽन्वपद्यत
From that time, a rivalry arose between Viśvāmitra and Vasiṣṭha over the matter of sacrifices; Viśvāmitra pursued him.
तयोर्विवदतोरेवं समीपमुपचक्रमे। ऋषिरुग्रतपाः पार्थ विश्वामित्रः प्रतापवान्
As the two were quarreling thus, the mighty ascetic, Viśvāmitra, approached them, O Pārtha, radiant in his austerity.
ततः स बुबुधे पश्चात्तमृषिं नृपसत्तमः। ऋषेः पुत्रं वसिष्ठस्य वसिष्ठमिव तेजसा
Then, afterwards, that distinguished king realized the sage was the son of Vasiṣṭha, equal to Vasiṣṭha in brilliance.
अन्तर्धाय ततोऽत्मानं विश्वामित्रोऽपि भारत। तावुभावतिचक्राम चिकीर्षन्नात्मनः प्रियम्
Viśvāmitra, O Bhārata, concealed himself, and both departed, each seeking what was pleasing to themselves.
स तु शप्तस्तदा तेन शक्तिना वै नृपोत्तमः। जगाम शरणं शक्तिं प्रसादयितुमर्हयन्
Then, cursed by Śakti, that eminent king sought refuge with Śakti, desiring to appease him.
तस्य भावं विदित्वा स नृपतेः कुरुसत्तम। विश्वामित्रस्ततो रक्ष आदिदेश नृपं प्रति
Knowing the king's intention, Viśvāmitra then commanded a demon to attack the king, O best of the Kurus.
शापात्तस्य तु विप्रर्षेर्विश्वामित्रस्य चाज्ञया। राक्षसः किङ्करो नाम विवेश नृपतिं तदा
By the curse of the sage and at Viśvāmitra's command, a demon named Kiṅkara entered the king at that time.
रक्षसा तं गृहीतं तु विदित्वा मुनिसत्तमः। विश्वामित्रोऽप्यपाक्रामत्तस्माद्देशादरिन्दम
When the eminent sage realized the king had been seized by the demon, Viśvāmitra withdrew from that place, O destroyer of foes.
ततः स नृपतिर्विद्वान्रक्षन्नात्मानमात्मना। बलवत्पीड्यमानोऽपि रक्षसान्तर्गतेन ह
Then the wise king, protecting himself by his own strength, though greatly afflicted by the demon within, endured.
ददर्शाथ द्विजः कश्चिद्राजानं प्रस्थितं वनम्। अयाचत क्षुधापन्नः समांसं भोजनं तदा
Then a certain Brahmin saw the king heading into the forest and, afflicted by hunger, requested meat for food.
तमुवाचाथ राजर्षिर्द्विजं मित्रसहस्तदा। आस्स्व ब्रह्मंस्त्वमत्रैव मुहूर्तं प्रतिपालयन्
Then the royal sage Mitrasaha spoke to the Brahmin: 'Remain here, O Brahmin, for a moment, waiting.'
निवृत्तः प्रतिदास्यामि भोजनं ते यथेप्सितम्। इत्युक्त्वा प्रययौ राजा तस्थौ च द्विजसत्तमः
'Once I return, I will give you the food you desire.' Having said this, the king departed, and the eminent Brahmin waited.
ततो राजा परिक्रम्य यथाकामं यथासुखम्। निवृत्तोऽन्तःपुरं पार्थ प्रविवेश महामनाः
Then the king, after wandering as he wished and as he pleased, returned and entered his inner chambers, his mind elevated.