Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.4748

c9.4748

Up to this time Viśvāmitra had been waging only a shadow war against the Kings of the Solar dynasty. From this moment he entered the scene of war. The minister bought Śunaḥśepha and brought him to the palace. Viśvāmitra also arrived at the palace. He sympathised with Śunaḥśepha who was crying pitiably. He asked the King to release the boy, and gave a warning that if the boy was not set free, the sacrifice would be obstructed. The King said that he was doing so to get recovery from illness, that he would give Viśvāmitra a good deal of wealth, and requested him not to cause any hindrance to the sacrifice. These words and the misery of the boy kindled the anger of Viśvāmitra. He called Śunaḥśepha and taught him Varuṇamantra (spell) and told him to repeat the mantra when he was lying on the slaughter-stone and that he would escape