Vasishta refused to part with Kamadhenu. Visvamitra refused to depart without her, when the king resorted to force. Distressed and crying out in pain, as the soldiers tried to drag her away Sabala agonized why her master should have forsaken her despite her innocence and devotion.Lowing unhappily, she suddenly shook off her tormentors and swift as the wind, ran to take refuge at her master's feet. Bellowing and roaring like thunder, she wanted to know the cause of such atrocity. Vasishta consoled the cow saying that he was not abandoning her and that she certainly had done no mistake. He also expressed his helplessness sadly saying "Visvamitra master of the world is a strong warrior and his Akshauhini,without horses, chariots and elephants is inviolable. In the face of these, today, my power is inadequate and I cannot defend you."

With great humility and grace Sabala now consoled the Brahmarshi saying, "It is said that the might of a warrior pales, in the face of the might of a Brahmin. The power of a divine sage derives from the exercises of his spiritual practices and discipline. And so is limitless!Visvamitra may be full of valor, but he cannot hold up to you in splendor and energy.I shall subdue the arrogance of this wretch by my brahminic skills. May his might and his evil design be confounded"!

Vasishta blessed Kamadhenu's intent and asked her to generate forces with her spiritual energy, to overcome those of the king. A single sound "Humba" uttered by Sabala produced hundreds of Pahlavas, who began the destruction of Visvamitra's entire army, in his very presence.Enraged, Visvamitra in turn started the annihilation of the Pahlavas and Sabala perceiving their death created a more formidable army of Shakas, Yavanas and Kambojas.The king attacked them all furiously shooting arrows in every direction, and scattering the enemy.