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 Mlechchha host that each particular soldier of Viswamitra was
attacked by a band of six or seven of their enemies. Assailed with a
mighty shower of weapons, Viswamitra's troops broke and fled, panic-
stricken, in all directions, before his very eyes. But, O bull in
Bharata's race, the troops of Vasishtha, though excited with wrath, took
not the life of any of Viswamitra's troops. Nandini simply caused the
monarch's army to be routed and driven off. And driven (from the asylum)
twenty-seven full miles, panic-stricken, they shrieked aloud and beheld
not anyone that could protect them. Viswamitra, beholding this wonderful
feat that resulted from Brahmana prowess, became disgusted with Kshatriya
prowess and said, 'O, fie on Kshatriya prowess! Brahmana prowess is true
prowess! In judging of strength and weakness, I see that asceticism is
true strength.' Saying this, the monarch, abandoning his large domains and
regal splendour and turning his back upon all pleasures, set his mind on
asceticism. Crowned with success in asceticism and filling the three
worlds with the heat of his ascetic penances, he afflicted all creatures
and finally became a Brahmana. The son of Kusika at last drank Soma with
Indra himself (in Heaven).'"
SECTION CLXXVIII
(Chaitraratha Parva continued)
"The Gandharva continued, 'There was, O Partha, a king in this world,
named Kalmashapada, who was of the race of Ikshvaku and was unequalled on
earth for prowess.
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