Guru Vashisht and King Vishwamitra: The Divine Cow, Ego, and the Path to True Devotion
Guru Vashisht, a divine sage and the spiritual guide of Lord Ram, was born from the mind of Brahma and Mata Saraswati. Due to his divine origin, he was free from anger, lust, or selfishness.
One day, King Vishwamitra, a mighty ruler, traveled with his army and stopped near Guru Vashisht's peaceful ashram. He humbly requested Guru Vashisht to allow them to rest for a night, assuring the sage that they carried their own food and would not trouble the ashram.
With a warm smile, Guru Vashisht replied, “King Vishwamitra, you need not worry. We will provide you and your soldiers with the best arrangements, surpassing your expectations.”
Guru Vashisht had a miraculous divine cow, Mata Nandini, who could fulfill all needs of the ashram. Upon Guru Vashisht’s request, Mata Nandini created abundant food and luxurious items for the king and his army. The soldiers were given new clothes and a royal feast, leaving King Vishwamitra astonished at the opulence provided by the humble sage.
Curious and skeptical, King Vishwamitra sent a spy to uncover the source of these arrangements. The spy revealed the secret of Mata Nandini. Greedy for the divine cow, the king approached Guru Vashisht and demanded Mata Nandini for himself.
Guru Vashisht calmly refused, saying, “Mata Nandini has been blessed to me by Brahma Ji. She is not mine to give away.”
Enraged, King Vishwamitra ordered his soldiers to take Mata Nandini by force. The soldiers dragged Mata Nandini outside, causing great sorrow to Guru Vashisht and his wife.
With tears in her eyes, Mata Nandini asked Guru Vashisht, “Have you given me away to the king?”
Guru Vashisht replied, “No, Mata Nandini. You are free to protect yourself.”
Empowered by Guru Vashisht’s blessing, Mata Nandini summoned a powerful army of divine warriors. These warriors, towering and formidable, easily overpowered King Vishwamitra’s soldiers. Realizing he was no match for Guru Vashisht’s divine power, the humiliated king vowed revenge.
King Vishwamitra resolved to acquire divine powers through rigorous meditation. However, his efforts were driven by pride and revenge, not devotion. This flawed intention led to distractions, including his infatuation with Menaka, a celestial beauty, which hindered his spiritual progress.
Guru Maharaj Sant Trilochan Darshan Das Ji reflects on this tale to teach that chanting God's name with malice or selfish intent does not bear fruit. True devotion comes from selflessness and surrender to the divine will.