Though I am king I am unable to host such a fabulous feast But..." he stopped half way in great hesitation. The sagewho understood the king's plight said,"Rajan, continue what you want to say. You seem to have some doubt in your mind."At first the king was a bit scared, but he picked courage and continued,"O revered Brahmarshi, you know that all thingsthat are there in my kingdom belong to me. Besides, all nice things should be only the king's possession. Ratnaharica Parthivah,and it is going to benefit everyone. Therefore you have to give me your cow shabale. In return I will give you one hundered thousand good cows."
He began by addressing the sage as Brahmarshi in a very polite tone, and he continued he exhibited his kingly pride and ultimately it was an order to the sage. Vasishta, who had conquered anger and hatred said coolly,"Rajan, it isdifficulty for me to give you the cow. Everyone activity in the ashram takes place with her help; further as you said,everything should be in its right place. Shabale belongs to this ashram and it is better if she is here."
The king had brought that he should get the cow for himself. Vasishta's words threw cold water on his desire. Hepleaded once again, "Datami Kunjaran taham caturdasha sahasrani, I will give you fourteen thousand elephants alongwith golden chains and ankushas. I will also offer you eight hundered gold chariots with four white horses each.
Besides these I will give you eleven thousand strong horses, One crore milking cows, the quantity of gold and diamondsyou ask for, but give me Shabale"
Vasishta was not attracted by the fabulous offer. He said "Rajan, this is a divine cow and it is not kept for sale. Idon't use it for my personal welfare. Shabale is the source for all the dharmic rituals that take place in this ashram. For these and many other reasons, I cannot part with Shabale."
When Vasishta finally refused to part with the cow, the king became angry. For a moment he forgot that he was standingbefore Maharishi Vasishta, who was the son of Lod Brahma. In great anger he shouted, "If you don't give me the cowI am going to take it by force";so saying he tugged at the rope tied to Shabale's neck.
This act of the king gave an indication that the peaceful atmosphere of the ashram was going to be reduced to a battlefield. Arundhati, Vamadeva, Vasishta's disciple and other inmates stood shell-shocked looking at the king's audacity.He tugged at the rope hard. His soldiers tried to help the king to take the cow out of the ashram.
Shabale was very sad at the plight. She was put in "Parityakta Vashishtena Kimaham Sumahatuana meaning has the greatVasishta abandoned me? What wrong have I done? He is so magnanimous as to pardon the worst possible wrongs, she stoodthinking. Hundereds of soldiers were pulling her. She just shook her body once and all the soldiers were thrown a few metres away.
Shabale came to Vasishta with tears in her eyes and said to the sage,"O great sage , why do you give me up. I have done no wrong to you." In reply Vasishta said,"I am not giving you up. It is the king who is trying to take you awayby force."
"O great one, if you give your consent, I am going to teach this arrogant king a lesson.
As soon as Vasishta gave his consent, thousands of well armed soldiers came out of her limbs. These soldiers who werecalled Paplavas: destroyed the king's army. Greatly enraged by this, the king killed all the paplavas by using divineweapons. Shabale created thousands of soldiers called Sakas and Yavanas. They attacked the king, but the king killedthem all. When Shabale saw the destruction of her force, she created Kambhojas, Bubaras, Sakas, Mlecas and Kiratas.They fell on Visvaratha and destroyed all his soldiers.
In order to save his life king Visvaratha ran away from the ashram and with great dificulty he reached his palace. Though he was not bodily hurt, the wounds made in his heart could not be healed. He knew that Vasishta's strenght oftapas was the source of strength that caused his down fall.
Vasishta was happy and he embraced Shabale, kissed her and said,"O mother, who knows your great strength! You createdwounderful food, and at the same time you destroyed thousands of soldiers. Your power is divine"