The monarch
arrived in that state at the asylum of Vasishtha, and the blessed and
illustrious Rishi beholding him arrive, reverenced with his homage that
best of men, king Viswamitra. And O Bharata, the Rishi saluted the monarch
by offering him water to wash his face and feet with, and Arghya, and wild
fruits, and clarified butter. For the illustrious Rishi had a cow yielding
anything that was desired of her. When she was addressed, saying, 'O give',
she always yielded the article that was sought. And she yielded various
fruits and corn, wild or grown in gardens and fields, and milk, and many
excellent nutritive viands full of six different kinds of juice (taste?)
and like unto nectar itself, and various other kinds of enjoyable things,
O Arjuna, of ambrosial taste for drinking and eating, and for licking and
sucking, and also many precious gems and robes of various kinds. With
these desirable objects in profusion the monarch was worshipped. And the
king with his minister and troops became highly pleased. And the monarch
wondered much, beholding that cow with six elevated limbs and the
beautiful flanks and hips, and five limbs that were broad, and eyes
prominent like those of the frog and beautiful in size, and high udders,
and faultless make, and straight and uplifted ears, and handsome horns,
and well-developed head and neck.
"And, O prince, the son of Gadhi, gratified with everything and applauding
the cow named Nandini, addressed the Rishi, saying, 'O Brahmana, O great
Muni, give me thy Naridini in exchange for ten thousand kine, or my
kingdom.
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