Vishwamitra: How a Kshatriya attained Brahminhood This story of how Vishwamitra, being a Kshatriya, attained Brahminhood, appears in Dana-dharma Parva of Anushasana Parva. Yudhishthira said, “If, O prince, Brahmanahood be so difficult of attainment by the three classes (Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras), how then did the high souled Vishwamitra, O king, though a Kshatriya (by birth), attain to the status of a Brahmana? I desire to know this, O sire. Therefore, do you truly relate this matter to me. That powerful man, O sire, by virtue of his austerities, destroyed in a moment the hundred sons of the high-souled Vasishtha. While under the influence of anger, he created numerous evil spirits and Rakshasas of mighty vigour and resembling the great destroyer Kala himself. The great and learned race of Kushika, numbering hundreds of regenerate sages and belauded by the Brahmanas, was founded in this world of men by him. Sunashepha of austere penances, the son of Richika, having been sought to...