Brahma-Tejo-Balam

Accompanied by his army, the mighty king Viśvāmitra once paid a visit to the āshrama of the great Brahma-rishi Vasiṣṭha, a true sage who fully knew Brahman. Vasiṣṭha honored the king in every manner and finally requested his kāmadhenu, wish fulfilling cow, Sabalā to produce sumptuous food and drinks to entertain Viśvāmitra and his entire army. Viśvāmitra, overwhelmed by the grandeur of the feast, and intoxicated by his own power – reasoning that all rightfully belongs to the king – asked to take Sabalā in exchange for a vast fortune in gold and precious jewels, chariots and horses. Vasiṣṭha politely declined saying Sabalā was everything to him, his very life. Viśvāmitra then commanded his army to take her by force. Sabalā, knowing Vasiṣṭha’s mind, produced a multitude of warriors who dispersed Viśvāmitra’s force. When Viśvāmitra’s 100 sons attacked Vasiṣṭha himself, he let out a roar that reduced them to ashes.

Viśvāmitra, having lost his army and sons, was shattered. Filled with a mix of anxiety and shame, he handed over his kingdom to his one remaining son and retired to the Himālayas, where he pursued severe austerities for the pleasure of Lord Shiva. When Shiva appeared before him to grant him his wish, Viśvāmitra requested the inmost secrets of the science of archery along with all the missiles known to the gods. Uttering the words “Let it be so” Shiva departed.

Puffed up with arrogance and eager to display his power, Viśvāmitra discharged his weapons and missiles on the site of Vasiṣṭha’s hermitage, which was quickly consumed by fire. Terrified the residents ran in all directions. In a short time it became desolate and barren, in spite of Vasiṣṭha calling out “Don’t be afraid! I shall make short work of the son of Gādhi. And he spoke these words to Visvāmitra “Since you have made havoc of my hermitage, fostered for long, and since you are a wicked fool, you will cease to be as you are. Here I stand, you unworthy ruler. Please exhibit whatever power you possess. I shall crush your pride as well as the pride of your weapons today. What use is your martial power compared to the power of Brahman, O disgrace to the Kṣhatriyas."

And to the onslaught of weapons and missiles hurled at him repeatedly by Viśvāmitra, he lifted his staff which neutralized them all. That staff of Brahman raised in the hand of Vasiṣṭha blazed forth like the smokeless fire of a black hole at the end of creation. The glorious and mighty Vasiṣṭha regained his calm. Heaving a deep sigh, the worsted Viśvāmitra spoke this verse:

Curse my power, the power of a warrior;
The strength of the glory of Brahman is real strength.
By a single staff of Brahman,
All my weapons and missiles, are destroyed.

Pronunciation Tips to increase your enjoyment
d and n are dental sounds with tip of tongue touching back of upper teeth
dh is pronounced dental as described but with added breath

ṇ and ḍ are Cerebral sounds with tip of tongue bending slightly back behind the contact point of English n and d
Compounds words are often understood from back to front e.g. brahma-tejo-balam = the power of the glory of Brahman

Each segment is repeated twice: 1st Listen - 2nd Repeat