Two/ The Stolen Cow

She had to have it.

The kamadhenu cow held extraordinary powers. A cow of plenty, one that could fulfill all wishes.
Whoever drank her milk would remain youthful for thousands of years. The cow, however, belonged to
Vasistha, a sage who resided among the Celestials.

“Please get her for me,” she begged her husband.

“You should not desire that which belongs to another,” he chided her.

“It’s not for me, my love. It’s for a friend who is in need of the cow’s powers. My dear husband, please.”
She touched his cheek. “It will not at all be difficult for you and your brothers. You are all great heroes.
And Vasistha’s hermitage is nearby. Please, Dyu. For me.”

Dyu was one of the eight Vasus – the Shining Ones, protectors of Indra’s celestial court. Dyu called the
Vasus together and they quickly arrived at the hermitage of Vasistha, deep in the forest. They were
cautious, and not wanting a confrontation with the powerful, mystic sage, made sure to take the cow in
his absence.

Vasistha returned shortly after they left. He knew something was amiss and quickly searched the nearby
meadows where the kamadhenu usually roamed. The cow was gone. To locate her, he entered samadhi,
a deep meditation, and engaged the energies of the sun, clouds, trees, and the earth itself. Sitting in
stillness, he projected his astral body in search of the cow and her abductors.

The skies darkened and fierce winds began to blow. The Vasus hurried along the path with their prize.
They had gone some distance when a towering figure of the sage loomed before them, blocking their
way.
“You dare take my kamadhenu! What insolence! I shall curse you all!”

Lightning streaked across the sky as the earth shook. The once brave Vasus fell to their knees. “Please,
spare us!” they cried. Thunder boomed above the trees. Branches and leaves fell all around them.

“None of you are fit to reside in the heavens. As punishment for your reckless act, you shall take birth on
the Earth for one lifetime.”

“A lifetime on Earth!” The Vasus were aghast. “No, please don’t do this to us. Be merciful. Anything
else.”

Vasistha paused to reconsider. “The curse has passed my lips and cannot be revoked. You must be born
on Earth. But, if you can find a way to shorten your lives, you may return to the celestial realms quickly.
But not Dyu. Dyu, you are the instigator of the group, and for your misdeed you will spend a long life on
Earth. So be it.”