Sarga 55: The Hermitage Burnt
Ashrama Dahana
Shabala's newly created armies annihilate Vishvamitra's forces and hundred sons; devastated, Vishvamitra retreats to austerity, wins divine weapons from Shiva, and returns to burn Vashishtha's hermitage, provoking the sage's wrath.
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वसिष्ठस्य च ये शिष्यास्तथैव मृगपक्षिण:। विद्रवन्ति भयाद्भीता नानादिग्भ्यस्सहस्रश:।।1.55.23।।
Meaning
Vashishtha's disciples, and likewise the deer and birds, fled in fear by the thousands in every direction.
वसिष्ठस्याश्रमपदं शून्यमासीन्महात्मन:। मुहूर्तमिव निश्शब्दमासीदिरिणसन्निभम्।।1.55.24।।
Meaning
The hermitage-ground of the great-souled Vashishtha became empty; for a moment it was silent as a barren waste.
वदतो वै वसिष्ठस्य मा भैरिति मुहुर्मुहु:। नाशयाम्यद्य गाधेयं नीहारमिव भास्कर:।।1.55.25।।
Meaning
Vashishtha called out again and again, fear not, fear not — today I shall destroy the son of Gadhi, as the sun dispels the mist.
एवमुक्त्वा महातेजा वसिष्ठो जपतां वर:। विश्वामित्रं तदा वाक्यं सरोषमिदमब्रवीत्।।1.55.26।।
Meaning
Having said this, the greatly splendid Vashishtha, foremost of those who murmur prayer, then spoke this word to Vishvamitra in anger.
आश्रमं चिरसम्वृद्धं यद्विनाशितवानसि। दुराचारोऽसि तन्मूढ तस्मात्त्वं न भविष्यसि।।1.55.27।।
Meaning
For destroying this long-flourishing hermitage, you are of wicked conduct, fool; because of this, you shall no longer exist.
इत्युक्त्वा परमक्रुद्धो दण्डमुद्यम्य सत्वर:। विधूममिव कालाग्निं यमदण्डमिवापरम्।।1.55.28।।
Meaning
Having said this, greatly enraged, he swiftly raised his staff, like the smokeless fire of dissolution, like the very rod of Yama.