Rāmāyana | Bala Kaṇḍa | Chapter 52
Sargam [Chapter]: 52
Vasiṣṭha's Feast to Viśvāmitra
[Vasiṣṭha hospitably receives Viśvāmitra. After exchanges of the news of welfare, Vasiṣṭha offers a feast to Viśvāmitra and his army. Viśvāmitra accepts it with reluctance. Vasiṣṭha calls the divine cow Śabala and requests her to arrange for a feast to Viśvāmitra and his army.]
"The strong Viśvāmitra, after seeing, greatly loved that place, which was the greatest place for chanting names of God, and offered salutations." 52.1
"The Great Vasiṣṭha received him properly and said "welcome to you" and ordered that a seat may be put for him." 52.2
"Then the great sage after being seated offered fruits and roots to the powerful Viśvāmitra according to tradition." 52.3
"That great King Viśvāmitra, with Lustre, after accepting the hospitality from sage Vasiṣṭha, enquired about welfare of his disciples, about the fire sacrifices which he does and about the trees in the hermitage; Vasiṣṭha informed him that everything was all right." 52.4-52.5
"The great ascetic Vasiṣṭha, son of Brahma and the greatest among those who pray, asked Viśvāmitra, who was sitting comfortably." 52.6
"Oh king, how is your welfare? Oh King are you ruling the country according to the King's Dharma and giving happiness to your people?" 52.7
"Are your servants well provided? Are your orders obeyed? Oh destroyer of foes, are you able to win over your enemies?" 52.8
"Oh tormenter of enemies, Oh blemish less one, Oh tiger among men, hope everything is all right with your treasury, friends, sons and grandsons?" 52.9
"The King, with great lustre, told with great humility to sage Vasiṣṭha that everything was all right." 52.10
"Both those followers of Dharma spent some time happily in exchange of stories and pleased each other." 52.11
"Oh son of the Raghu clan, after their conversation came to an end, the god like Vasiṣṭha smilingly told the following to Viśvāmitra." 52.12
"Oh powerful one, I would like to offer hospitality in a suitable manner to you and your strong army. Please accept it." 52.13
"You may kindly accept the honours extended by me to you as you are a honoured guest and worthy of the homage, which would be offered with all sincerity." 52.14
After Vasiṣṭha spoke, the intelligent Viśvāmitra said, "Pleasing word that you have spoken is itself a great hospitality." 52.15
"Oh good sage, you have already offered water to wash my feet, water for drinking, as well as various fruits and roots that are available in your hermitage. Seeing your great self is itself a great honour and worship. Oh very intelligent sage, my salutations to you. Please look at me with friendship in your eye." 52.16-52.17
"When the King spoke like this, sage Vasiṣṭha again and again requested him to accept his hospitality." 52.18
"In reply to those entreaties, the son of Gādhi said, "Let it be so, Oh great sage, please do what pleases you." 52.19
"That blemish less sage Vasiṣṭha, with great lustre, who is great in chanting, called the cow with variegated stripes." 52.20
"Oh Śabala, please listen to my following words. I have decided to offer food in a befitting manner to this royal saint along with his army and so please make arrangements." 52.21
"Oh fulfiller of wishes, for my sake quickly rain food of six different tastes as per the likes and dislikes of each and every one." 52.22
"Oh Śabala, let food in the form of a collection of juice, pastes and solid food be created quickly and offered to them."
This is the end of Fifty First Sarga of Bala Kanda which occurs in Holy Rāmāyaṇa composed by Vālmīki as the First Epic.