Sabala ever magnanimous and bounteous, produced a splendid feast, consisting of the most exotic of foods. The entire hermitage swarmed with the troops of Visvamitra, who enjoyed the feast to their hearts content.They dined royally and drank with great relish. Pleased with the magnificent display of such lavish hospitality, Visvamitra said to Vasishta, "Brahmin! You have honored me as it befits the king of kings! You are worthy of great praise and I am touched. Sabala is a gem and since the king is the procurer of gems, give me Sabala!She is rightfully mine.I shall give a hundred thousand cows in return". Vasishta, turning down the request very politely saying, "Never! Neither a thousand million cows nor silver in heaps will tempt me. Never will I part with my divine Sabala, I care for her like a virtuous man would, for his good name and fame.In offering oblations to gods and ancestors in tending the sacrificial fires, in fulfilling various necessities, and in procuring offerings to the many spirits and unto Agni, my dependence on Sabala is total.For these and a myriad other reasons, I cannot give up Sabala".

Undaunted Visvamitra continued with his persuasion and bargaining.He tried tempting Vasishta with a gift of fourteen thousand horses adorned with gold trappings, eight hundred chariots made of gold, with four white horses yoked to each and as much gold as he desired. Eleven thousand mighty horses of the best of breeds were also added to the list but Vasishta's final say was "Giving away Sabala is not a possibility, for this divine cow, fulfilling my every wish and desire, is my wealth, and my very life".