The sage Vashishtha meditated under water for twelve years. He wanted to
become the most powerful person spiritually. When he came out of the water,
he saw that his dearest disciple, Harishchandra, was in serious trouble.
The sage Vishwamitra had come to Harishchandra?s palace and asked him to
do certain things. Because Harishchandra could not fulfil his promises, he
had to leave his kingdom, sell his wife and child and take up work as an
undertaker.<br>
<br>
When Vashishtha saw that Harishchandra was undergoing so much suffering,
he cursed Vishwamitra: ?My dearest king is suffering at your hands,? he said.
?You are so cruel. I curse you! You will become a bird!?<br>
<br>
In reply, Vishwamitra pronounced a curse on Vashishtha: ?You will immediately
become a bird also!?<br>
<br>
O God, both of them became huge birds and they started fighting in the sky!
While flapping their wings, they were destroying trees, houses, everything.
The whole of creation was being smashed to pieces because they were fighting
so ruthlessly.<br>
<br>
When Brahma saw the destruction that was being wrought by these two huge
birds, he decided to do something. He clipped their wings so that they could
no longer fly. Although they could not fly, the two birds continued to fight
face to face on the ground. Their fury showed no signs of abating.<br>
<br>
Brahma observed them once again and said, ?What I have done is not enough.
Without wings they are still bent on destroying each other. I can see that
my entire creation will be destroyed in the process. I have to do something
more.?<br>
<br>
Brahma meditated for thousands of years to acquire power and finally he was
able to transform the two birds back into human beings. When they took the
form of men once more, Brahma addressed them: ?Are you not ashamed of yourselves?
You cursed each other to become birds and then you fought ruthlessly. You
were destroying the whole world because of your personal quarrel. Now at
least remain as two ordinary human beings. Even ordinary human beings do
not fight the way you have fought. I am not asking you to be saints. Just
become decent human beings.?<br>
<br>
In this way, Brahma tried to illumined the sages. They embraced each other
and promised to desist from fighting. Unfortunately, their truce did not
last. Afterwards, these two sages once again resumed fighting. Most people
say that Vashishtha had the higher wisdom, while others say that he started
the whole thing. Each sage has his own supporters. Although they were both
great, neither one had conquered anger.<br>
<br>
Sri Chinmoy&nbsp;