Vishwamithra and Menaka
Thus after completing the severe penance and after bath Devas & Brahma came and said “Vishwamithra with your Penance and Punyas (Good Deeds) you have become Rishi. Earlier you had become Rajah Rishi(Kingly Saint) and then having forsaken the Kshatriya(Warrior) qualities you have attained this position.” And they all Left. But his aim not having been fulfilled Kaushika was disheartened hence started to do Penance again.
After a Long time in the Banks of Pushkara Holy water front, an Angel named Menaka came for taking bath. She is matchless in Beauty and Complexion and was akin to a Lightning passing through Dark Coluds full of water.Seeing her playing in the Lake’s water Vishwamithra got infatuated asked her “ Dear Lady, Hope you are keeping well. Please come and Live in my Cottge. My longing for you is Limitless .Iam love stuck by the Arrows pierced by Manmadah (Venus God) which is tormenting me , please accept me and appease my thirst for you. She stayed with him for 10 Years comfortably. Then suddenly one day his infatuation for her left him .He realized who he is and what purpose he came for and his Severe Penance done earlier got wasted as he gave room for Lust.Realising this he was repenting relentlessly with sorrow and shame for his slip up in his pursuit of Spiritual Goal. He wondered “Did Devas made this arrangement to deprive me of my powers of Penance? 10 years have gone past like an Night and day. Overcome by Lust and Anger I have my self invited this obstacle “ with repentence he was being roasted and the wound to his self esteem was not healing and was breathing heavily. Seeing his Anger and Anguish Menaka thought to herself “ Vishwamithra’s anger knows no bounds , it is like the Fire that rages during Deluge.I have spoilt his severe Penance; what he will do to me?” she was shivering with fright and stood with folded hands. Vishwamithra addressed her “ Hey Lady! What is your mistake in this? I have no right to get annoyed with you. , I should punish my Intellect or Mind.” Saying these sweet words she sent Menaka away.
Then he left for Himalayas he went to the River bank of Kaushiki(his sister) chose a serene spot and started doing severe penance. Till the completion of his Thapas (Penacne /Prayers) he had vowed to control his senses. After he did 1000 years Thapas even Devas got scared. They went to Brahma “This saint should attain BrahmaRishi (Godly Saint) status.” Pleaded. Then Brahma together with Devas and Rishis came to Kaushika“ Child! Iam immensely pleased with your Severe Penance.Menaka did spoil your Thapas. By not cursing her you have won over Anger. So amongst the Rishis you will be Maha Rishi(Greatest amongst Rishis).” Thus he blessed pleasantly. But Kaushika was neither Happy nor sad.He bowed to Brahma and prayed “ by my Thapas(Penance ) & Punya(Good Deeds) if I am worthy of attaining the status of Maharishi, you have discreetly agreed that I have been able to win over my sensesory organs. “ mmediately Brahma replied “ it is not like that, when the reasons which cause Kama(Lust) and Krodha(Anger) when they happen if your Mind does not vacillate and does not think badly or tangetly , then you can be said to have won over Sensory organs ie Senses. To attain that state you have to make efforts” saying this Brahma retruned with Devas.
Then Kaushika raised his hands and without any attachment eating Air as Food,in the midst of Hot summer he had fire on all 5 directions including scorching Sun on the head, and during Rainy season he did penance where it poured Rain heavily,, during winter he stood in cold water,day and night relentlessly Prayed unabated.Like this when it was > 1000 years Indra and Devas got really scared.Devarajah King of Heaven Indra called aside Rhambha another Angel to spoil the Penance of Vishwamithra with a plan. (Slokas 26)
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