Gadayuddha Parva — The attainment of Brahmanahood by Arshtisena, Sindhudvipa, Devapi and Vishvamitra

Janamejaya said "Why did the worshipful Arshtishena practise the severest of penances? How also did Sindhudvipa acquire the dignity of a Brahmana?

How also did Devapi, O Brahmana and how did Vishvamitra, O best of men, become Brahmanas. Tell me all this, O worshipful One! Great is my curiosity to hear of all this."

Vaishampayana said "Formerly, in the Krita age, O king, there was a great Rishi called Arshtishena. Living in his preceptor's house, he attended to his lessons every day.

Although, O king, he lived long in the residence of his preceptor, he could not master any branch of learning or the Vedas, O monarch.

Greatly disappointed, O king, the great ascetic practised very rigid penances. By his penances he afterwards acquired the mastery of the Vedas which is best of all forms of learning.

Acquiring great learning and a mastery of the Vedas, that best of Rishis became highly successful in that tirtha. He then conferred three boons on that place.

He said-"From this day, a person, by bathing in this tirtha of the great river Sarasvati, shall reap the great fruit of a horse sacrifice.

From this day there will be no fear in this tirtha from serpents and wild beasts. By the slightest of endeavours, again, one shall reap great results here."

Having said these words, that energetic Rishi proceeded to heaven. Thus the worshipful Arshtishena became successful.

In that very tirtha, in the Krita age th greatly energetic Sindhudvipa and Devapi also, had acquired the dignity of Brahman-hood.

Similarly Kushika's ascetic son, having controlled his senses and practised austerities became a Brahmana.

There was a great Kshatriya, celebrated over the world, by the name of Gadhi. He had a son by the name of Vishvamitra of great prowess.

King Kaushika became a great ascetic. Possessed of great ascetic merit, he wished to place his son Vishvamitra on his throne, himself having made up his mind to renounce his body. His subjects, bowing unto him, said-You should not go away, O you of great wisdom and protect us from a great fear.'

Thus addressed, Gadhi replied to his subjects, saying-"My son will be the protector of the vest universe.

Having said these words and placed Vishvamitra on the throne, Gadhi, O king ascended heaven and Vishvainitra became king. He could not, however, protect the earth even trying his level best.

The king then heard of the fear of Rakshasa in his kingdom. With his fourfold forces, he went out of his capital.

Having proceeded far on his way, he reached the hermitage of Vashishtha. His troops, O king, caused immense mischief there.

The worshipful Brahman Vashishtha, when he came to his hermitage, saw the vast forest devastated.

That best of Rishis, viz., Vashishtha O king, became angry with Vishvamitra. He commanded his own sacrificial cow, saying "Create a number of terrible Shavaras.

Thus addressed the cow created a number of men of terrific visages. These fought with the army of Vishvamitra and made a great onslaught.

Seeing this, the troops fled away. Regarding ascetic austerities highly efficacious, Vishvamitra, the son of Gadhi made up his mind to practise the same.

In this best of tirthas of the Sarasvati, O king, he began to emaciate his own body by Vows and fasts.

He lived on water, air and the fallen leaves of trees. He slept on the naked earth and practised other vows of the ascetics.

The celestials repeatedly attempted for obstructing the observance of his vows. He, however, did not desist from practising his promised vow.

Then having practised various austerities with great devotion, the son of Gadhi became effulgent like the Sun himself.

The boon-giving Brahmana, of great energy, resolved to grant Vishvamitra, when he had succeeded in his ascetic observances, the boon the latter wanted.

The boon that Vishvamitra prayed for was that he should be permitted to become a Brahmana. Brahmana, the grandfather of all the worlds, said to him-"So be it.'

Having by his severe penances gained the status of Brahman-hood, the illustrious Vishvamitra, after the fulfillment of his desire, traveled over the whole earth like a god.

Distributing various sorts of wealth in that best of tirthas, Rama also gladly gave away milch cows, vehicles, beds, ornaments, food and drink of the best kinds, O king, to many foremost of Brahmanas, after having adored them dully.

Then, O king, Rama proceeded to the hermitage of Vaka which was not very far from where he was, the hermitage in which, as heard by us, Dalvya-vaka had practised the hardest of penances.”