| Sages,Rushis & Saints |
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| Biographies of Great Indians & Hindus |
VISHWAMITRA |
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| "Grant
Me All the Magical Arrows" Vishwamitra thought, "Due to the power of Vashishta's penance, I lost my army and my sons. Our entire valor was useless. Therefore I should also perform penance like Vashishta and acquire such power." Then and there he took the decision and left the hermitage of Vashishta. He went to Himalaya and selected a peaceful place for performing penance. He started his penance to obtain the favour of Shankara, the lord of Kailasa. Days rolled on. Months were over. Year after year passed on. But Ishwara did not show himself. Vishwamitra's penance became harder and harder. Thousands of years rolled on. At last Ishwara was pleased with the tenacity of Vishwamitra's penance and presented himself. "0 Vishwamitra! I am much pleased by your penance. Ask for whatever boon you desire from me," he said. Vishwamitra was jubilant. "Lord, grant me all the secret knowledge of archery. Grant me the secret of all the magical arrows that Yakshas, Rakshasas, Gandharvas and Maharshis have," he prayed. Ishwara granted all these and went away. |
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