Sarga 63: Viswamitra's Austerities & Menaka
Vishvamitra Tapas
Viswamitra's severe penance interrupted by the divine apsara Menaka.
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विप्रस्थितेषु देवेषु विश्वामित्रो महामुनि:। ऊर्ध्वबाहुर्निरालम्बो वायुभक्षस्तपश्चरन्||1.63.23||
Meaning
After the departure of the gods, mighty ascetic Viswamitra raised his arms up, stood without support, subsisting on air, continuing with his austerities.
घर्मे पञ्चतपा भूत्वा वर्षास्वाकाशसंश्रय:। शिशिरे सलिलस्थायी रात्र्यहानि तपोधन:||1.63.24||
Meaning
Viswamitra whose wealth was his penance carried on his rigid austerities for a thousand years amidst five fires, in summer, under the open sky in monsoon, and immersed in water night and day in winter.
तस्मिन् सन्तप्यमाने तु विश्वामित्रे महामुनौ||1.63.25|| सम्भ्रमस्सुमहानासीत्सुराणां वासवस्य च
Meaning
When the mighty asetic Viswamitra was peforming penance, the gods as well as Indra got deeply perturbed.
रम्भामप्सरसं शक्र स्सह सर्वैर्मरुद्गणै:। उवाचात्महितं वाक्यमहितं कौशिकस्य च||1.63.26||
Meaning
Indra along with all the maruts spoke to the celestial nymph Rambha, words that augured well for them and not for kaushika (Viswamitra).