Arming himself withAgneyastra, Visvamitraasked Vasishta to stop.Realising Visvamitra's intention and to counter it, Vasishta raised his staff Brahmadanda akin to the scepter of death saying "Lowly Kshatriya, show me your strength.This instantwill I snuff out your pride and that of your weapons. Where does your Kshatriya strength stand in the face of the mighty Brahminical energy?"At that, Visvamitra's flaming weapon struck by that of Vasishta went down like a forceful fire extinguished in a gush of water. Incensed and in rapid succession the son of Gadhi let fly the shafts of Rudra, Pasupatha, Varuna, Aindra and Aishika and many more, gifted to him by Mahendra. But all these vanished equally fast consumed by the staff of Vasishta. With every one of his weapons exhausted, Visvamitra raised his ultimate weapon, the Brahmastra. It was of no consequence whatsoever to the Brahma like Brahmin, who swallowed it with his staff, Brahmadanda, a mighty weapon of meteoric brilliance. At that moment Vasishta's form glowed with an indescribable beauty which was also frightening. From every pore in his body emanated sparks of fire and smoke! Beholding him the sages who had assembled implored him to retract his unbearable powers and rid the world of the fear he was causing! The sages assembled there implored Vasishta to exercise restraint saying "Now that Visvamitra has been vanquished, let the world be delivered from fear" and the sage relented.Humiliated and crestfallen Visvamitra realized that spiritual might alone was real and that Kshatriya might was not commendable. "Brahmanic power alone is the ultimate and I shall now seek it said Visvamitra."