Avatsara (Sanskrit:अवत्सार,romanized: Avatsāra) is arishi (sage) featured in theRigveda. His name first appears inSukta 44 of the Fifth Mandala.[1][2]
Avatsara is the primary author ofSukta 44 of the Fifth Mandala of the Rigveda, whose hymn addressed to the class ofRigvedic deities called theVisvedevas. He is known for the set of eight hymns of four mantras each that appear in the Rigveda viz. Suktas IX.53 to IX.60, and also in the Samaveda (SV.757, SV.1717).[3] He is stated to be the chief priest of the gods. He is described to offer Agni the six-syllable oblation –O Agni, enjoy the oblation, and was set-free.[4] According to Satyasadha (21.3.13), the Kashyapapravara (lineage) consists of three rishi–ancestors: –Kashyapa, Avatsara, and Naidhruva.[5] The lineage also belongs to two of theSandilya variations.[6] There are eight notable sages belonging to the Kashyapa family –Kashyapa,Avatsara,Nidhruva,Rebha,Devala,Asita,Bhutamsa, andVivrha; two unnamed sons ofRebha were also authors of Rigvedic hymns.[7]
He is more known for the Suktas 53 to 60 of the Ninth Mandala; these Suktas contain fourmantras each, all composed in theGayatriMetre. In the Rigveda, he addressesIshvara as, "the fully armed and endowed with many subtle and fine divine powers and destroyer of all evil forces" (RV.IX.53.1). He then addresses Ishvara as, "the purifier or the pure, brilliant as the Sun".[8]
His name appears in theYajurveda, (Y.V.III.i & III.xviii) in which he prays toAgni,[9] and in theAitareya Brahmana and theKausitaki Brahmana. In the verses of the Aitareya Brahmana (A.B. ii.24) and Kausitaki Brahmana (K.B.viii.6), both pertaining to the Sacrifice of the Five Oblations, it is stated that Avatsara had reached the home ofAgni and had conquered the highest world.[10]
In Rigveda Sukta IX.53, he states that educated people extract the wisdom of the ancients from theVedas. Further, he states in Rigveda mantra IX.60.3 that the Lord resides as knowledge and consciousness in the hearts and minds of educated people.[11]
Avatsara is described to be the son of Kashyapa, who whose lifetime was later than Vamadeva (son ofMaharishi Gautama), but earlier thanAtri.[12] The word,Avata, denotes an artificially dug up water-source or an artificial well.[13][14]
Apart from Kashyapa, the son of Marichi, there appears to have been a second Kashyapa who was the father of Avatsara,Narada andArundhati, the wife ofVasishtha and it was this second Kashyapa who was one of theSaptarishi.[15][16][17] According to the list of sages provided by theMatsya Purana, Kashyapa had two sons – Avatsara andAsita; Nidhruva and Rebha were Avatsara’s son. But this list is doubted; the genealogy otherwise gives three groups among the Kashyaps, the Sandilyas, Naidhruvas and Raibhyas.[18]
From Book IV Chapter VIII of theSrimad Bhagvatam it is learnt though Maitreya thatDhruva, the son of Uttanapada through Suruti, and the grandson ofSvyambhuva Manu, had by his first wife Brahmi, two sons, Vatsara and Kalmavatsara or Kalpa.[19][20]
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