Bala Kanda Sarga - 53

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Bala Kanda Sarga - 53

 

Om Asmadgurubhyo Namaha

Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha

 

As soon as Vashishta ordered, Sabala brought forth items to full fill

The visitors' needs, including different varieties of food and drinking items

like fruit juices, and alcohol. Piles of hot rice appeared like mountains, along

with various puddings, spicy items, and yogurt which flowed like streams. Sabala

also arranged food items with six tastes. All soldiers ate the lavish food

provided by Sabala and felt happy. Vashishta also honored Brahmans, Prohithas

and ministers accordingly. Vishvamithra was extremely pleased with their

hospitality. "Vashishta Maharishi! You were supposed to accept serves from us,

instead you have honored us. You did an extraordinary service to us. We are very

pleased. But, I ask you one more thing. You present me with this Sabala (sacred

cow), and in return I will give you thousands of cows. Sabala is an

extraordinary cow only fit for a king. Just like the saying, "rathna haaree cha

paarthivah" all best things in the country should belong to the king" said

Vishvamithra. In reply, Vashishta said, "Oh king! Even if you offer me all the

wealth in your kingdom, I can't give you Sabala. I am leading my life here with

the support of this cow. Agnihothras, sacrifices, homas, swahas, vashatkarams,

and the upasanas which I do, all are depended on this cow. She is everything to

me. Because of these reasons, I can not give you Sabala.

 

Vishvamithra was adamant to own that cow with whatever means possible. He tried

to tempt Vashishta again by saying, "I will offer you fourteen thousand

elephants with gold chains, gold waist band and gold ankushams, I will also give

you eight hundred white horses with gold chariots, and quality horses like

kambhoja, bahlika. I will also present you with various colored cows, diamonds,

and gold to your hearts content. In return you give me this Sabala". In spite

of Visvamithra's coaxing and cajoling words, Vashishta did not agree, and said

firmly, "Vishvamithra, what ever you are offering me she can provide me and

more. She means more to me than life itself. I will not part with her. As a king

you should not demand your subjects to part with their possessions unwillingly.

Now take leave and continue with your journey."

 

(To cont)

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Jai Srimannarayana!