A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.2008

c5.2008

A legend in the Vishnu Purāṇa represents Vasishṭha as being requested by Nimi, a son of Ikshwāku, to officiate at a sacrifice which was to last for a thousand years. The sage pleaded a prior engagement to Indra for five hundred years, but offered to come at the end of that period. The king made no remark, and Vasishṭha, taking silence as assent, returned as he had proposed. He then found that Nimi had engaged the Rishi Gautama to perform the sacrifice, and this so angered him that he cursed the king to lose his corporeal form. Nimi retorted the curse, and in consequence “the vigour of Vasishṭha entered into the vigour of Mitra and Varuna. Vasishṭha, however, received from them another body when their seed had fallen from them at the sight of Urvasī.”