I found this good summary of their fight : What was the fight between Vishwamitra and Vashishta about ?
Vishwamitra, earlier known as Kaushika, was a king who rejected Kshatriya duties and with his intense penance, became a Brahmarishi. The cause of this event was Vashishta.
Back when Vishwamitra was Kaushika, he visited the ashrama of Vashishta once with his entire army. Vashishta catered for the entire army with the aid of Kamadhenu, the wish fulfilling cow. Kaushika wished to take the cow for the welfare of his kingdom and asked Vashishta for Kamadhenu.
But when Vashishta refused, Kaushika tried to take Kamadhenu by force. Vashishta, using his tapas, defeated Kaushika for the insolence. Nursing his wounds, Kaushika sought revenge. After pleasing Shiva and obtaining many powerful weapons, Kaushika challenged Vashishta again.
With his Brahmadanda, Vashishta nulled all of Kaushika's weapons. In anger, Kaushika rejected his warrior strength and sought to become a Brahmarishi. Kaushika performed a lot of penance and was rewarded with the title of Rajarishi.
Unsatisfied, Kaushika began his penance again. In due time, Kaushika became a Rishi or saint. Still not satisfied, Kaushika performed more penance. When king Trishanku was rejected by Vashishta for his stupid wish, Kaushika took the king under his protection.
When Trishanku was not able to enter Heaven and was thrown out, Kaushika used all of his penance to create a new heaven for the king, like a new Brahma. Trishanku was jubilant, but Kaushika had used up his entire tapas.
Kaushika then went to perform more penance. He got the title of Maharishi. By now, Indra grew insecure about Kaushika and sent his apsara, Menaka to seduce the saint. She succeeded and kept Kaushika mixed in worldly affairs for some time. They had a child, Shakuntala.
Vishwamitra then left Menaka for more penance. This time, Indra sent Rambha to seduce Vishwamitra again. In anger, Vishwamitra cursed Rambha. Driven by guilt and disappointed at his lack of emotional control, Vishwamitra went to do more penance.
He became a jitendriya, one who could control emotions and Brahma Himself appeared to confer the title of Brahmarishi to Vishwamitra. Vashishta also recognized Vishwamitra as Brahmarishi, because Vishwamitra had gained full control of his emotions and had truly become a saint.
This is the story between Vashishta and Vishwamitra.
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