The Word That Made a Brahmarṣi

All this while Viśvāmitra's austerities went on, for thousands of years, because what he wanted was to be a brahmarṣi, a brahmin seer. In the end his austerity grew so great that the gods feared the worlds would burn. Then all the gods with Brahmā at their head came to him and said, Welcome, brahmarṣi. We are well pleased with your austerity. By your fierce austerity you have become a brahmin. We give you long life. Go in peace.

Viśvāmitra bowed and answered them gladly. If I have become a brahmin, and have long life too, then let the syllable Om and the call of vaṣaṭ and the Vedas choose me. And let Vasiṣṭha, Brahmā's son, best of those who know the Veda of the kṣatriya and the Veda of Brahman, say so to me. If this, my highest wish, is granted, then go, best of the gods.

So the gods went to Vasiṣṭha and won him over, and Vasiṣṭha made friends with Viśvāmitra and said, So be it. You are a brahmarṣi; there is no doubt of it. Everything will be fulfilled for you. Then the gods went back the way they had come, and Viśvāmitra, having won the highest state of a brahmin, honoured Vasiṣṭha, the best of those who pray.