Vishvamitra's Long Journey

King Janaka welcomed Vishvamitra, Ram, and Lakshman to Mithila. Among those present was Shatananda, the son of Gautama and Ahalya. Relieved to hear that his mother had been restored to the hermitage, he praised Ram's respectful visit. Then he told the princes the long history of their guide.

Vishvamitra had once been a powerful king. While travelling with a great army, he visited Sage Vashishtha's hermitage. Vashishtha offered hospitality to everyone through the abundance of a wondrous cow, Shabala.

The king wanted that power for his own court. He offered wealth and then tried to take Shabala by force. Shabala resisted and appealed to Vashishtha. From her power came defenders who stopped the royal army. Vishvamitra's sons attacked in anger and were destroyed by Vashishtha's spiritual force.

The defeated king understood that military strength was not the only kind of power. But his first response was not humility; it was a determination to gain greater weapons. He performed austerities, received celestial arms from Shiva, and returned to challenge Vashishtha. Vashishtha's staff absorbed every weapon. Again Vishvamitra failed.

He then sought the deeper status of a royal sage. His discipline was repeatedly interrupted by anger and rivalry.