Chapter LXI: Section LXIII

And when the thousand years had been completed and the mighty ascetic had accomplished his vow, the celestials in a body desirous of conferring upon him the fruit thereof, appeared before him. And the exceedingly effulgent Brahma. addressed him in soothing words; saying,--'Thou art henceforth a saint, good unto thee,--and (this eminence) thou hast attained through thy own laudable exertions.' Having spoken thus unto him, the lord of celestials returned to heaven. And Vicwamitra of mighty energy became again engaged in rigid austerities. And, O foremost of men, it came to pass that after a long lapse of time that prime of Apsaras, Menaka, was at that time performing her ablutions in Pushkara, and she was observed by Kucika's son, like unto lightning among clouds. And coming under the control of _Kandarpa_,[89] the anchoret spoke unto her, saying,--'O Apsari, hath thy journey been a pleasant one t Do thou abide in my asylum. Do thou favor me; for, good betide thee, I have been rendered senseless by Madana.'[90] Thus addressed, that one of shapely hips began to dwell there. And mighty was the hinderance that befell Vicwamitra as regarded his asceticism, as she, O Raghava, staying in that asylum of his, pleasantly spent five and five years, O gentle one. And after this period had gone by, overwhelmed with shame and afflicted with anxiety and grief, the mighty ascetic Vicwamitra impatiently thought, O son of Raghu, that all this mighty loss of austerities was the work of the celestials. And deprived of his senses by lust, the decade had passed away imperceptibly as if it were one day and night; and this impediment stood in the way of his austerities. And heaving a sigh, that best of ascetics burned in repentance. And with sweet words, renouncing the terrible and trembling Menaka standing wuh clasped hands, Kucika's son, Vicwamitra, O Rama, went to the northern mountains. And practising the Brahmacharyya mode of lite with the intention of subduing lust, that highly famous one engaged in arduous austerities on the banks of the Kauciki. And as he was thus engaged in profound austerities on the northern mountain, a thousand years, O Rama passed away. Then taking counsel together, the celestials and the saints appeared before (Brahma), saying,--'Let Kucika's son obtain the title of Maharshi.' Hearing the words of the celestials, the Grand-sire of all addressed the ascetic Vicwamitra, in these sweet words,--O mighty saint, hast thou had a pleasant journey? Satisfied with thy fierce austerities, O Kaucika, I confer upon thee the eminence of the foremost saintship.' Hearing Brahma's speech, the anchoret Vicwamitra bowing down thus answered the Grand- sire with clasped hands,--'The incomparable title of Brahmarshi is to be won by one by performing sterling works. And since thou hast not addressed me (by that title) it appears that I have not yet succeeded in subduing my senses.'[91] Thereupon Brahma said unto him,--'Do thou exert thyself until thou conquer thy senses? Saying this, Brahma went to heaven. And when the celestials had gone, the mighty ascetic, Vicwamitra, with upraised arms, and without any support, and subsisting on air, began to perform penances. And in summer, the ascetic surrounded himself with five fires, and in rains remained in an uncovered place, and in winter day and night stood submerged in water. Thus passed by a thousand years of terrible penances. And on the mighty ascetic Vicwamitra being engaged in austerities, great was the agitation that exercised the celestials and Vasav, in particular. And Sakra together with the Maruts spoke unto Rambha these words, fraught with weal unto himself, and woe unto Kaucika'."

[89] Cupid.-- T.

[90] Cupid.-- T.

[91] The text is very faulty. The literal meaning would be, "since thou
hast not I have subdued my senses" which would be absurd. I have
therefore rendered the passage freely.--T.