Once Vasistha invited his arch enemy Vishwamitra for a feast on a Srardha day. On the day of Srardha, the departed souls are propitiated. Brahmins and saints were fed on the day. The guests are worshipped as the representatives of the departed souls. Vishvamitra promised to participate on one condition. He insisted that he must be served with 1008 curries (side dishes). Vasishta knew what he was up to. He told him that he would inform his ‘home minister’ Arundhati as she was in charge of the guests.
Vasishta informed Arundhati the condition laid by Vishwamitra. She did not bother. On the day of Srardha , Vishwamitra came and sat at the dining hall. But to his disappointment he saw only 10+ curries on the plate (plantain leaf). When he angrily questioned Vasishta, he told him to put the question to Arundhati as she was in charge of the ceremony. Before Vishwamitra questioned her, Arundhati recited a popular sloka (couplet) which made Vishwamitra speechless.
What did Arundhati tell him?
कारवल्लि शांत चैव वज्र वल्लि शतत्रयं
पनसं षट् शतंचैव श्रार्धकाले विधीयते
कारवल्लि शांत चैव वज्र वल्लि शतत्रयं
पनसं षट् शतंचैव श्रार्धकाले विधीयते
Kaaravalli satam chaiva vajra valli satatrayam
Panasam shat satam chaiva sraardhakaalE VidhiiyatE
Panasam shat satam chaiva sraardhakaalE VidhiiyatE
“If someone serves at the time of Srardha,
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momordica_charantia is equal to 100 items,
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cissus_quadrangularis that is equal to 300 curry items
- and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackfruit that is equal to 600 items.
That is the rule for the ceremony.”
She served these three vegetable dishes along with 8 more items on the plate. So it came to 1008 items. Vishwamitra was happy at the explanation from the chastest woman in the world.
