Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/417

Rh began, O Partba, to low piteously, and approaching the illustrious Vasistha stood before him with uplifted face. Though persecuted very cruelly, she refused to leave the Rishi's asylum.

"Beholding her in that plight, Vasistha said-O amiable one, thou art lowing repeatedly and I am hearing thy cries ! But, O Nandini, even Viswamitra is taking thee away by force, what can I do in this matter, as I am a forgiving Brahmana ?

"The Gandharva continued. Then, O bull in Bharata's race, Nandini, alarmed at the sight of Viswamitra's troops and terrified by Viswamitra himself, approached the Rishi still closer, and said, illustrious one, why art thou so indifferent to my poor self afflicted with the stripes of the cruel troops of Viswamitra and crying so piteously as if I were masterless ? -Hearing these words of the crying and persecuted Nandini, the great Rishi lost not his patience nor turned from his vow of forgiveness. He replied.-The Kshatriya's might lies in physical strength, the Brahmana's in forgiveness. Because I cannot give up forgiveness, go thou, O Nandini, if thou choosest I–Nandini answered, -'Castest thou me away, O illustrious one, that thou sayest so ? If thou dost not cast me off, I cannot, O Brahmana, be taken away by force! Vasistha said,- blessed one, I do not cast thee off! Stay. if thou canst 1 0, yander is thy calf, tied with a stout cord, and even now being weakened by it 1

"The Gandharva continued, -'Then the cow of Vasistha, hearing the word stay, raised her head and neck upward, and became terrible to behold. With eyes red with rage and lowing repeatedly, she then attacked Viswamitra's troops on all sides. Afflicted with their stripes and running hither and thither with those red eyes of hers, her wrath increased. Blazing with rage, she soon became terrible to behold like unto the sun in his mid-day glory. And from her tail she began to rain showers of burning coals all around. And some moments after, from her tail she brought forth an army of Palhavas; and from her udders, an army of Dravidas and Sakes, and from her womb, an army of Yavanas; and from her dung, an army of Savaras; and from her urine, an army of Kanchis: and from her sides, an army of Savaras. And from the froth of her mouth came out hosts of Paundras and Kiratas, Yavanas and Singhalas, and the barbarous tribes of Khasas and Chivukas and Pulindas and Chins and Huns with Keralas, and numerous other Mlehchhas. And that vast army of Mlechchhas in various uniforms, and armed with various weapons, as soon as it sprang into life, deploying in the very sight of Viswamitra, attacked that monarch's soldiers. And so numerous was that Miechchha host that each particular soldier of Viswamitra was attacked by a band of five or seven of their