Vishwamitra was insolent because of his position as king and overlord. After winning the divine weapons, he was swollen with pride. It went to his head. He thought he would be able to defeat Vasishta completely and destroy him. With this determination he came to the hermitage of Vasishta. He began to rain arrows on the Ashram and destroy it. The other saints and disciples ran helter-skelter. The animals and bird! of the Ashram were terrified. There was wailing followed by destruction.

Vasishta came to know about the destruction caused by Vishwamitra. He comforted the frightened disciples and advised them to take courage. He tool, his Brahmadanda - the staff of a saint- and came out of his hermitage and confronted Vishwamitra and said, "O you fool, why are you destroying the Ashrarn without any cause? Is it proper for a king to destroy when he should protect?" Vishwamitra got ready to release his arrow called Agneyastra, a powerful weapon. Then Vasishta put up his saint's staff (Brahmadanda) before him and said, "Vishwamitra, show me your valour and strenght." Then Vishwamitra released - his Agneyastra against Vasishta. The arrow sped roaring with fire towards Vasishta but got reduced like a burnt-out faggot and fell at his feet like live coals dropping into a tank.

What is a Brahmadanda?

It is the staff in the hands of an ascetic. The power and strength of Vasishta's tapas was concentrated in the staff. In his anger Vishwamitra released one by one all his powerful weapons. Roudra, Aindra, Pashupata followed each other to the incantation of mantras or verses. But all of them were rendered powerless before Vasishta's Brahmadanda. Vishwamitra was furious with anger. When he had used all his weapons in vain, he took out the divinely endowed arrow called Brahmastra and fitted it in his bow. It frightened all in the Ashram as well divine beings in heaven. Every one became concerned for Vasishta Vishwamitra released it against Vasishta invoking the spiritual powers of mantras. Vasishta stood undisturbed. I appeared like a bright flame at this moment; sparks of fire emanated form his body. The staff in his hand look like the staff in the hands of Yama God of Death. The Brahmastra sped like lightning towards Vasishta make frightening noise like thunder. It pounced on Vasishta's Brahmadanda and was absorbed into it. The other saints who saw this praised Vasishta's strength said, "Great man, your strength beyond our guess. Control your I and become peaceful." Vasish, accepted their advice and became Calm.

There was no other weapon left with Vishwamitra. He had used all his weapons and had been totally defeated by Vasishta. He felt repentant. He realised his mistake. He understood the truth would always win. He felt, "I took the wrong path. It is impossible suppress truth by force." He sighed and went away saying, "There is no value for my power and strength. The real power. is that which comes from tapas.