The Consequences of Stealing Nandini

Sage Vashishta was the son of Varundev. His ashram was on the Meru Mountain. He was engrossed in penance on Meru Mountain, which was always full of animals, birds, and vegetation. He had a divine cow named Nandini, who could fulfill any wish for the purpose of religion and penance. Under the protection of sage Vashishta, Nandini roamed around freely and fearlessly in the forest.

One day, eight Vasus (attendant deities of Lord Indra) and their wives descended upon this forest. As they wandered around admiring the magnificent forest, one of the Vasus named Dhu; his wife’s eyes became fixed on Nandini. Seeing a cow who had a special body with auspicious qualities and symbols, she wanted to know more about it. Dhu told her that whoever drinks Nandini's sweet milk will remain young for ten thousand years. Hearing this, she immediately urged her husband to acquire the cow.

Even though Dhu knew that Nandini was in the service of sage Vashishta, he melted away at his wife's request. To appease his wife, he took the help of his brothers and together they stole Nandini. Captivated with love for his wife, he did steal the sage's cow. However, he forgot the possible consequences of his sin.

He will be deprived of a wife and children because he committed this crime to appease his wife. However, he will be a very virtuous and noble person in all respects and receive a lot of fame.

When sage Vashishta returned to his ashram in the evening, he did not see Nandini. With his supernatural vision, he learned that the Vasus had stolen Nandini. In a rage, he put such a curse on the Vasus that they would have to be born on earth to atone for their sins.

As soon as the Vasus heard the curse, they rushed to calm down sage Vashishta. After many attempts, the sage relaxed. Easing the curse, he said, "Seven out of eight Vasus will be saved from their mortal lives within a year of their birth, but the curse will remain as is for the main culprit, Dhu.” The sage said, "Dhu will have to remain on earth for a long time. He will be deprived of a wife and children because he committed this crime to appease his wife. However, he will be a very virtuous and noble person in all respects and receive a lot of fame.”

In this way, the first seven sons of Ganga, who were the seven Vasus, were liberated from this mortal lives as soon as they were born. The eighth son, Dhu, who was reborn, had to remain on earth for a long time. He was Devavrat Gangaputra Bhishma and he had to suffer the consequences of stealing Nandini.

Let's see what Pujyashree has to say about stealing ...