Sarga 52: Vashishtha's Feast
Vasishtha Atithya
Vishvamitra visits Vashishtha's hermitage; despite the king's reluctance, Vashishtha insists on hosting him and his army, and summons his wish-fulfilling cow Shabala to prepare a lavish feast.
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स दृष्ट्वा परमप्रीतो विश्वामित्रो महाबल:। प्रणतो विनयाद्वीरो वसिष्ठं जपतां वरम्।।1.52.1।।
Meaning
Seeing him, the greatly mighty Vishvamitra, filled with delight, that hero humbly bowed to Vashishtha, foremost among those who murmur sacred prayer.
स्वागतं तव चेत्युक्तो वसिष्ठेन महात्मना। आसनं चास्य भगवान् वसिष्ठो व्यादिदेश ह।।1.52.2।।
Meaning
Welcomed by the great-souled Vashishtha with the word 'you are welcome,' the venerable Vashishtha then showed him to a seat.
उपविष्टाय च तदा विश्वामित्राय धीमते। यथान्यायं मुनिवर: फलमूलमुपाहरत्।।1.52.3।।
Meaning
Then, to the wise Vishvamitra who had taken his seat, the foremost of sages duly offered fruits and roots.
प्रतिगृह्य तु तां पूजां वसिष्ठाद्राजसत्तम:। तपोग्निहोत्रशिष्येषु कुशलं पर्यपृच्छत।।1.52.4।। विश्वामित्रो महातेजा वनस्पतिगणे तथा। सर्वत्र कुशलं चाह वसिष्ठो राजसत्तमम्।।1.52.5।।
Meaning
Having received that honor from Vashishtha, the foremost of kings asked after the well-being of the austerities, fire-oblations, and disciples; the greatly splendid Vishvamitra likewise asked after the trees and plants, and Vashishtha in turn assured the foremost of kings that all was well everywhere.
सुखोपविष्टं राजानं विश्वामित्रं महातपा:। पप्रच्छ जपतां श्रेष्ठो वसिष्ठो ब्रह्मणस्सुत:।।1.52.6।।
Meaning
Vashishtha, son of Brahma, foremost among those who murmur prayer, then questioned the greatly ascetic king Vishvamitra, who sat there at ease.
कच्चित्ते कुशलं राजन् कच्चिद्धर्मेण रञ्जयन्। प्रजा: पालयसे वीर राजवृत्तेन धार्मिक।।1.52.7।।
Meaning
I hope all is well with you, king; I hope, righteous hero, that you delight your subjects with righteousness and protect them through righteous kingly conduct.
कच्चित्ते सम्भृता भृत्या: कच्चित्तिष्ठन्ति शासने। कच्चित्ते विजितास्सर्वे रिपवो रिपुसूदन।।1.52.8।।
Meaning
I hope your servants are well provided for, and that they abide by your rule; I hope, destroyer of foes, that all your enemies have been conquered.
कच्चिद्बलेषु कोशेषु मित्रेषु च परन्तप। कुशलं ते नरव्याघ्र पुत्रपौत्रे तवानघ।।1.52.9।।
Meaning
I hope, scorcher of foes, all is well with your forces, treasury, and friends; tiger among men, sinless one, I hope all is well with your sons and grandsons.
सर्वत्र कुशलं राजा वसिष्ठं प्रत्युदाहरत्। विश्वामित्रो महातेजा वसिष्ठं विनयान्वित:।।1.52.10।।
Meaning
The greatly splendid Vishvamitra, filled with humility, replied to Vashishtha that all was well everywhere.
कृत्वोभौ सुचिरं कालं धर्मिष्ठौ ता: कथा: शुभा:। मुदा परमया युक्तौ प्रीयेतां तौ परस्परम्।।1.52.11।।
Meaning
Both those righteous ones, conversing pleasantly for a long time, took delight in one another with the greatest joy.