Witnessing the carnage Vasishta urged Kamadhenu to create more forces to quell him and Sabala gave birth to the Kambojas, Yavanas, Sakas, Mlecchas, Kirtlas and Haritas, who began the extermination of Visvamitra's army of elephants horses and chariots!Even as the one hundred sons of Visvamitra hurled every kind of weapon on Vasishta, he with one "Humkara" reduced the mighty battalion to ashes. Visvamithra deprived of his glory, his sons and his army was filled with shame and plunged in grief.He felt like an ocean without waves, a snake without fangs and like the sun under eclipse. His confidence shattered, his pride humbled he became totally despondent.

Installing his son on the throne in the Kshatriya dharma and tradition, Visvamitra retired to the Himalayan slopes to worship lord Maheswara. When the Lord appeared before Visvamitra, to grant any boon of his devotee's choice Visvamitra wanted to possess the Dhanurveda, the science of archery with all its secrets and the Upanishads.He also wanted every weapon known to the devas, danavas, sages, gandharvas, yakshas and rakshasas.All were granted.

Endowed with these supreme powers, Visvamitra once again became haughty his insolence knew no bounds, turbulent as the sea on a full moon day with an arrogance born out of the might of his weapons and bristling with the pride he reached the hermitage of Vasishta. Feeling invincible and considering Vasishta as good as slain he set the sylvan abode on fire. Persecuted by dreadful weapons and engulfed in flames the sages and disciples, bird and beast by the thousands fled in all directions.The hermitage was reduced to cinders and ashes in moments to lie silent and desolate in its devastation.

Vasishta's furywas so great that he denounced Visvamitra saying, "Fool! Wicked that you are, you have destroyed this most glorious and ancient hermitage nurtured from times immemorial. May you also soon perish" With that, he strode forth in a great rage, holding his staff which seemed like the staff of death.