Introduction

Vishvamitra tries to gain Kaamadhenu, but Sage Vashishta persistently refuses Vishvamitra’s bargains and barters. ‘When an ordinary cow alone is held sacred and it is an un-marketable commodity, how then can Shabala, a milker of any wish, be given away or bartered for other riches…’ is the argument of Vashishta. Yet, Vishvamitra goes on his bidding, but in vain.

Verse 1

एवमुक्ता वसिष्ठेन शबला शत्रुसूदन |
विदधे कामधुक्कामान् यस्य यस्येप्सितं यथा || १-५३-१

“Oh, enemy-chastener Rama, when the Divine Cow Shabala is spoken in this way by Sage Vashishta, then that milker bestowed each and every fancy, fancied by each and every fancier, according to one’s own fancy.” Thus Sage Shataananda continued the legend of Shabala or Kaamadhenu, as a part of the legend of Vishvamitra to Rama and others. [1-53-1]

1. shatrusuudana = oh enemy-chastener, Rama; vasiSThena evam uktaa = this way spoken [she who is] by Vashishta; kaamadhuk = desire milker; shabalaa = cow with amazing coloured skin – Shabala; yasya yasya yathaa iipsitam = whose, whose, as to how, fancied; all those; kaamaan = fancies; of foodstuffs; vidadhe = bestowed.

Verse 2

इक्षून्मधूंस्तथा लाजान् मैरेयांश्च वरासवान् |
पानानि च महार्हाणि भक्ष्यांश्चोच्चावचांस्तथा || १-५३-२

Shabala bestowed dishes of sugar cane and honey, and flakes of all sorts, like cornflakes, rice-flakes, also best arracks and liquors in best wineglasses, further, the drinks and foodstuffs that are very diverse and verily apposite to royalties and army-men. [1-53-2]

2. ikSuun madhuun tathaa laajaan = sugar-cane [and its dishes,] honey [and its dishes,] like that, cornflakes, [rice-flakes etc.]; varaasavaan [aasanaan] = best liquors [or, with best wineglasses]; maireyaan ca = arracks [Arabic ‘arak ‘sweat’, ‘arak al-tamr ‘alcoholic spirit from dates in Arabia, and from sugar-cane and rice in India,] also; mahaarhaaNi paanaani ca = highly [very] apposite to [royalties and army-men,] drinks, further; tathaa = like that; uccaavacaan = verily diverse; bhakSyaan ca = foodstuffs, also; [shabalaa vidadhe = Shabala, bestowed.]

Verse 3 & 4

उष्णाढ्यस्यौदनस्यापि राशयः पर्वतोपमाः |
मृष्टान्नानि च सूपाश्च दधिकुल्यास्तथैव च || १-५३-३
नानास्वादुरसानां च खाण्डवानां [षाडवानां] तथैव च |
भाजनानि [भोजनानि] सुपूर्णानि गौडानि च सहस्रशः || १-५३-४

There emerged mountainous stacks of steamy foodstuffs, palatable side-dishes and desserts of rice etc., also the dumplings of cooked pulses, like that the cascades of curds and the other milk products like butter, ghee, cheese etc. Thousands of silver dishes and hollowware fully replete with daintily soft drinks, like that full with sugar-candy preparations, and with preparations that comprise all the six tastes have come up together with delectable foodstuffs made out of treacly dumplings of cane sugar. [1-53-3, 4]

3. [atra = there]; uSNaaDhyasya odanasya api = foods rich in heat [steamy], even; parvatopamaaH raashayaH = mountain similar, stacks – have come up; mR^iSTaannaani ca = palatable, foodstuffs [side dishes, desserts of rice,] also; suupaaH ca = cooked pulse’s dumplings, also; tathaa eva = like that; dadhikulyaaH ca = cascades of curds, also; naanaasvaadurasaanaam ca = varied daintily soft-drinks, also; khaaNDavanaam = sugar-candies, [or, SaaDabaanaam = juices with six kinds of tastes]; tathaa eva ca = like that, also; supuurNaani = fully replete with; bhaajanaani = dishes, [silver hollowware; or, bhojanaani = delectable foodstuffs;] gauDaani ca = [foodstuffs made from the] treacly dumplings of cane sugar, also; sahasrashaH = in thousands; in no time they have come up.

Verse 5

सर्वमासीत् सुसंतुष्टं हृष्टपुष्टजनायुतम् |
विश्वामित्रबलं राम वसिष्ठेन सुतर्पितम् || १-५३-५

Oh, Rama, all of the men in the forces of Vishvamitra, who are already rejoiced and regaled by the regular feasts accorded by their king Vishvamitra, are now comparatively well gladdened when feasted by Sage Vashishta, in which they rejoiced and regaled, for a good measure. [1-53-5]

5. raama = oh Rama; vishvaamitrabalam = Vishvamitra’s forces; sarvam eva = all, like that; vasiSThena sutarpitam = well feasted by Vashishta; susantuSTam = well gladdened ; hR^iSTapuSTajanaayutam aasiit = consisting rejoiced and regaled men, it became.

Verse 6

विश्वामित्रोऽपि राजर्षिर्हृष्टपुष्टस्तदाभवत् |
सान्तःपुरवरो राजा सब्राह्मणपुरोहितः || १-५३-६

Partaking that feast together with the best royal ladies of palace chambers, and with the court-scholars and the court-priests even the king Vishvamitra, who by his nature is a kingly sage, became exultant and energetic. [1-53-6]

6. tadaa = then; saantaHpuravaraH = with best inmates [royal ladies] of palace chambers ; sabraahmaNapurohitaH = with court-scholars and royal-priests; raajarSiH = kingly sage; vishvaamitraH raajaa api = Vishvamitra, king, even; hR^iSTapuSTaH abhavat = became exultant, energetic.

Verse 7

सामात्यो मंत्रिसहितः सभृत्यः पूजितस्तदा |
युक्तः परमहर्षेण वसिष्ठमिदमब्रवीत् || १-५३-७

When honoured along with his advisers, ministers and attendants by way of receiving a royal banquet, king Vishvamitra then in high admiration spoke this to Vashishta. [1-53-7]

7. tadaa = then; puujitaH = one who is honoured – Vishvamitra by Vashishta; saamaatyaH mantrisahitaH = along with advisers, minister; sabhR^ityaH = with attendants – Vishvamitra; paramaharSeNa yuktaH = along with high admiration; vasiSTham idam abraviit = spoke this to Vashishta.

Verse 8

पूजितोऽहं त्वया ब्रह्मन् पूजार्हेण सुसत्कृतः |
श्रूयतामभिधास्यामि वाक्यं वाक्यविशारद || १-५३-८

You showed me a generous hospitality whereby I am esteemed by an estimable sage like you, oh, expert in sententiousness, now I wish to say for myself to which you may please listen. [1-53-8]

8. brahman = oh Brahman; puujaarheNa = for esteem, meetly [sage of your like]; tvayaa = by you; aham puujitaH = I am, reverenced [esteemed]; susatkR^itaH = well done good [shown generous hospitality]; vaakyavishaarada = oh expert of sentence; vaakyam abhidhaasyaami = [a] word, I wish to tell – I say for myself; shruuyataam = that may be listened.

Verse 10b & 11a

एवमुक्तस्तु भगवान् वसिष्ठो मुनिसत्तमः || १-५३-१०
विश्वामित्रेण धर्मात्मा प्रत्युवाच महीपतिम् |

When Vishvamitra addressed him in that way, the reverential sage Vashishta, who is a virtue-souled eminent saint, on his part replied the king in this way. [1-53-10b, 11a]

10b, 11a. vishvaamitreNa = by Vishvamitra; evam uktaH tu = that way, who is spoken to – Vashishta, on his part; bhagavaan munisattamaH dharmaatmaa = reverential one, the eminent saint, virtue-souled one; vasiSThaH = Vashishta; mahiipatim prati uvaaca = spoke – replied in turn to the king.

Verse 11b & 12a

नाहं शतसहस्रेण नापि कोटिशतैर्गवाम् || १-५३-११
राजन् दास्यामि शबलां राशिभी रजतस्य वा |

I cannot afford Shabala, neither by the barter of a hundred thousand cows, nor by hundreds of millions of cows, nor by lots and lots of silver, either. [1-53-11b, 12a]

11b, 12a. raajan = oh king; aham = I; gavaam shatasahasreNa = cows, by hundred thousand; shabalaam na daasyaami = I will not afford Shabala; koTishataiH api = by millions hundreds [of cows,] even; na = I do not give; rajatasya raashibhiH = of silver, lots; vaa = either – I do not give.

Verse 12b & 13a

न परित्यागमर्हेयं मत्सकाशादरिन्दम || १-५३-१२
शाश्वती शबला मह्यं कीर्तिरात्मवतो यथा |

Abandoning her from my proximity is unmeet for her, oh, enemy-subjugator, you cannot even subjugate me terroristically and try to wean this cow away from me, as Shabala is everlastingly and inseparably mine, as with the everlasting and inseparable respectability of a self-respectful person. [1-53-12b, 13a]

12b, 13a. arindama = oh enemy-subjugator; iyam = this – cow; mat sakaashaat = from my, proximity; parityaagam = for abandoning; na arhaa = not, she is proper one; aatmavataH = to self-respectful ones; kiirtiH yathaa = as with respectability; shabalaa mahyam shaashvatii = Shabala is everlasting [inseparable] for me.

Verse 13b & 14a

अस्यां हव्यं च कव्यं च प्राणयात्रा तथैव च || १-५३-१३
आयत्तमग्निहोत्रं च बलिर्होमस्तथैव च |

This cow makes the journey of my life possible. Oblations to gods or manes, enkindling of Ritual-fire, religious sacrifices, homa-s, the sacred rituals conducted as darshapaurNamaasi, all are dependent on her. [1-53-13b, 14a]

13b, 14a. havyam ca = oblations [for gods,] also; kavyam ca = oblations [for manes,] also; tathaa eva ca = like that, also; praaNayaatraa = [my] life’s journey – cow which makes the journey of my life possible; agnihotram ca = enkindler of Ritual-fire, also; baliH = sacrifices – which accords material for sacrifices; tathaa eva ca = like that, also; homaH = conducting sacred rituals of = “#B3003A”> homa-s [Oxford: hom, n. (also = “#B3003A”> homa ) 1 the soma plant, 2 the juice of this plant as a sacred drink of the Parsees, [Persian = “#B3003A”> hom, hum, Avestan = “#B3003A”> haoma]; asyaam aayattam = in her [in cow,] take basis – dependant on her.

Verse 14b & 15a

स्वाहाकारवषट्कारौ विद्याश्च विविधास्तथा || १-५३-१४
आयत्तमत्र राजर्षे सर्वमेतन्न संशयः |

This cow is the bedrock for everything in its entirety, and regarding diverse and numerous indoctrinations, and even for add-on syllabics like svaahaa, vaSaT, they are all dependent on this cow, there is no doubt about it. [1-53-14b 15a]

14b, 15a. raajarSe = oh kingly sage; svaahaakaaravaSaTkaarau = swaahaa syllabified utterances, vaSaT add-on syllabics; tathaa = thus; vividhaaH vidyaaH ca = divers and numerous, indoctrinations, also; etat sarvam = everything, in entirety; atra = in this matter [of cow]; aayattam = dependent on; samshayaH na = doubt, is not there.

Verse 15b & 16a

सर्वस्वमेतत्सत्येन मम तुष्टिकरी तथा || १-५३-१५
कारणैर्बहुभी राजन्न दास्ये शबलां तव |

“In truth, this cow is everything to me and ever-gratifier, that way by so many reasons, oh, king, I cannot afford Shabala to you or to anyone.” So said Vashishta to Vishvamitra. [1-53-15b, 16a]

15b, 16a. etat = this one – cow; satyena mama sarvasvam = everything to me in truth; [sadaa = always]; tuSTikarii = doer [ever-gratifier] of gratification; raajan = oh king; tathaa = in that way; bahubhiH kaaraNaiH = by so many, reasons; shabalaam tava na daasye = I do not afford Shabala to you.

Verse 16b & 17a

वसिष्ठेनैवमुक्तस्तु विश्वामित्रोऽब्रवीत्तदा || १-५३-१६
संरब्धतरमत्यर्थं वाक्यं वाक्यविशारदः |

Though Vashishta spoke thus Vishvamitra being an expert in sententiousness then spoke this sentence compellingly and argumentatively. [1-53-16b, 17a]

16b, 17a. vaakyavishaaradaH vishvaamitraH = sententiousness expert, Vishvamitra; vasiSThena evam uktaH = thus [though] spoken by Vashishta; tadaa = then; atyartham = verily reasoning [argumentatively]; samrabdhataram = muchly [compellingly] with hastiness; [idam] vaakyam abraviit = spoke [this] sentence.

Verse 17b & 18a

हैरण्यकक्ष्याग्रैवेयान् सुवर्णांकुशभूषितान् || १-५३-१७
ददामि कुंजराणां ते सहस्राणि चतुर्दश |

I bestow upon you fourteen thousand elephants adorned with golden girdles, golden necklets and golden goads. [1-53-17b, 18a]

17b, 18b. hairaNyakakSyaagraiveyaan = golden girdles necklets; suvarNaankushabhuuSitaan = adorned with golden goad; kunjaraaNaam = such elephants; caturdashasahasraaNi = fourteen thousands; te dadaami = I bestow, upon you.

Verse 18b & 19a

हैरण्यानां रथानां च श्वेताश्वानां चतुर्युजाम् || १-५३-१८
ददामि ते शतान्यष्टौ किङ्किणीकविभूषितान् |

I will grant you eight hundred golden chariots whichever can be yoked on with four whitely-white horses trimmed up with the sets of tintinnabulating bells. [1-53-18b, 19a]

18b, 19a. shvetaashvaanaam caturyujaam = to yoke on with four very white horses; hairaNyaanaam rathaanaam ca = golden, chariots, also; kinkiNiikavibhuuSitaan = trimmed up with set of tintinnabulating bells; aSTau shataani = eight, hundred; te dadaami = I will give to you .

Verse 19b & c

हयानां देशजातानां कुलजानां महौजसाम् |
सहस्रमेकं दश च ददामि तव सुव्रत || १-५३-१९

I grant you, oh, superbly vowed sage, eleven thousand fleetly galloping horses of high pedigree born in best countries of best horse breeding. [1-53-19b, c]

19b, c. suvrata = on superbly vowed sage; deshajaataanaam = born in countries [famous countries for best horse breeding]; kulajaanaam = of [high] pedigree born in; mahaujasaam = with great [fleetly] animation [galloping]; hayaanaam = horses; ekam dasha ca = one, ten, also – eleven; sahasram = a thousand – eleven thousand horses; tava dadaami = I grant to you.

Verse 20

नानावर्णविभक्तानां वयःस्थानां तथैव च |
ददाम्येकां गवां कोटिं शबला दीयतां मम || १-५३-२०

I award ten million diversely coloured and differently divisionalized cows, whichever of them will be came of age as milker, thereby, let this do-all cow Shabala be given to me. [1-53-20]

20. naanaavarNavibhaktaanaam = diversely coloured, verily [differently] divisionalized; tathaa eva ca = like that, also; vayaHsthaanaam = staying in age[come of age]; gavaam = of cows; ekaam koTim = one, crore [ten millions]; dadaami = I award; mama shabalaa diiyataam = Shabala may be given to me.

Verse 21

यावदिच्छसि रत्नानि हिरण्यं वा द्विजोत्तम |
तावद्ददामि ते सर्वं दीयतां शबला मम || १-५३-२१

“Or, oh, eminent Brahman, if you yearn either for gems or gold, I gift that much of everything as much as you can yearn, let Shabala be given to me.” Thus Vishvamitra entreated again. [1-53-21]

21. dvijottama = oh the eminent Brahman; ratnaani vaa hiraNyam vaa = either gemstones or gold; yaavat icChasi = how much, you yearn; [tat] sarvam = [all,] everything; taavat = that much; te dadaami = I gift; shabalaa mama diiyataam = Shabala be given to me.

Verse 22

एवमुक्तस्तु भगवान् विश्वामित्रेण धीमता |
न दास्यामीति शबलां प्राह राजन् कथंचन || १-५३-२२

When the shrewd king Vishvamitra spoke to the reverential sage Vashishta, that sage has clearly said, ‘whatever it is oh, king, I do not surrender Shabala, the cow.’ [1-53-22]

22. dhiimataa vishvaamitreNa evam uktaH = thus who is spoken by shrewd [king] Vishvamitra; bhagavaan = reverential sage Vashishta; raajan = oh king; kathamcana = whatever – may happen; shabalaam na daasyaami = I do not surrender Shabala; iti praaha = thus, clearly said.

Verse 23

एतदेव हि मे रत्नं एतदेव हि मे धनम् |
एतदेव हि सर्वस्वमेतदेव हि जीवितम् || १-५३-२३

Really this alone is my gemmy cow, thus I do not require your jewels or gems… truly, this alone is my treasure, thus I do not require your gilded chariots, horses or elephants… really, this alone is my everything, thus I need nothing from you… and actually, this alone is my alter-ego, thus you cannot separate me from myself. [1-53-23]

23. etat eva = this, alone; me ratnam hi = for me, gem, indeed; etat eva hi me dhanam = this, alone, truly, wealth [treasure] for me; etat eva sarvasvam hi = this, alone, really everything for me; etat eva jiivitam hi = this, alone, life [alter ego,] actually.

Verse 24

दर्शश्च पौर्णमासश्च यज्ञाश्चैवाप्तदक्षिणाः |
एतदेव हि मे राजन् विविधाश्च क्रियास्तथा || १-५३-२४

This alone is my darsha-puurNamaasa rituals, and like that this alone is all my Vedic-rituals with worthwhile donations and oh, king, this essentially is of service in diverse activities of mine. [1-53-24]

24. raajan = oh king; me = my; darshaH ca = darsha, also – Vedic-rituals; paurNamaasaH ca = poorna maasa Vedic-rituals, also; aaptadakSiNaaH = worthwhile donations; yaGYaaH ca eva = Vedic-rituals, like that, also; tathaa = like that; vividhaaH kriyaaH ca = divers, activities, also; etat eva hi = this, alone, indeed.

Verse 25

अतो मूलाः क्रियाः सर्वा मम राजन्न संशयः |
बहूना किं प्रलापेन न दास्ये कामदोहिनीम् || १-५३-२५

” Oh, king, all of my activities are instated in this cow, then wherefore a lot of palavering a bargain or barter? I do not give away this milker any wish.” So said Vashishta to Vishvamitra, and thus Sage Shataananda continued his narration of the legend of Sacred Cow. [1-53-25]

25. raajan = oh king; mama sarvaaH kriyaaH = for all my activities; ataH muulaaH = in it [in cow,] instated; samshayaH na = there is no doubt; bahuunaa pralaapena kim [prayojanam] = by a lot of, palavering, what is [the use]; kaamadohiniim = wishes milker; na daasye = I do not give away.