Vishvamitra | |
|---|---|
 Vishvamitra byRaja Ravi Varma | |
| Title | Brahmarishi,Rajarshi,Saptarshi |
| Personal life | |
| Born | Kaushika[1] |
| Children | Many children includingMadhuchhanda, Ashtaka,Shunahshepa,Sushruta, andShakuntala |
| Parent | Gādhi (father) |
| Notable work(s) | Gayatri Mantra |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Hinduism |
Vishvamitra (Sanskrit:विश्वामित्र,IAST:Viśvāmitra) is one of the most veneratedrishis orsages ofancient India. Vishvamitra is one of the sevenBrahmarshi. According to Hindu tradition, he is stated to have written most of theMandala 3 of theRigveda, including theGayatri Mantra (3.62.10). ThePuranas mention that only 24 rishis since antiquity have understood the whole meaning of —and thus wielded the whole power of — the Gayatri Mantra. Vishvamitra is supposed to have been the first, andYajnavalkya the last.
Before renouncing his kingdom and royal status, Brahmarishi Vishvamitra was a king, and thus he retained the title ofRajarshi, or 'royal sage'.
Historically, Viśvāmitra Gāthina was a Rigvedicrishi who was the chief author of Mandala 3 of the Rigveda.[2] Viśvāmitra was taught byJamadagni Bhārgava.[3] He was thepurohita of theBharata tribal king Sudās, until he was replaced byVasiṣṭha.[4] He aided the Bharatas in crossing the Vipāśa andŚutudrī rivers (modernBeas andSutlej).[5] In later Hindu texts, Viśvāmitra and Vasiṣhṭha have a long-standing feud, and scholars have stated they historically had a feud regarding the position of the Bharata purohita. However, this view has been criticized due to lack of internal evidence and the projection of later views onto the Rigveda.[5][6] In post-Rigvedic literature Viśvāmitra becomes a mythical sage.[7]
Most of the stories related to Vishvamitra's life is narrated in theValmiki Ramayana.[8] Vishvamitra was a king in ancient India, also called Kaushika (descendant of Kusha) and belonged toAmavasu Dynasty. Vishvamitra was originally the King of Kanyakubja (modern dayKannauj). He was a valiant warrior and the great-grandson of a great king namedKushik[9].Valmiki Ramayana, prose 51 of Bala Kanda, starts with the story of Vishvamitra:
There was a king named Kusha (not to be confused withKusha, son ofRama), a mindson (manasputra) ofBrahma and Kusha's son was the powerful and verily righteous Kushanabha. One who is highly renowned by the nameGaadhi was the son of Kushanabha and Gaadhi's son is this great-saint of great resplendence, Vishvamitra. Vishvamitra ruled the earth and this great-resplendent king ruled the kingdom for many thousands of years.[10]
His story also appears in various Puranas; however, with variations fromRamayana.Vishnu Purana andHarivamsha chapter 27 (dynasty of Amaavasu) ofMahabharata narrates the birth of Vishvamitra. According toVishnu Purana,[11]Kushanabha married a damsel of Purukutsa dynasty (later called as Shatamarshana lineage - descendants of theIkshvaku king Trasadasyu) and had a son by name Gaadhi, who had a daughter named Satyavati (not to be confused with theSatyavati ofMahabharata).
Kusha and His Lineage
Kusha, the son of Lord Brahma, had numerous children, includingKushanabha. Kushanabha had 100 daughters, all of whom were married toBrahmadatta. Despite this, he lamented the absence of a son. To address this, he performed thePutra Kameshti Yaga, a Vedic ritual seeking a male heir. In response, his father, King Kusha, granted him a boon, assuring him that he would have a son who would bring honor to the lineage. This son wasGadhi, who later became the father ofSage Vishwamitra.
Since Vishwamitra belonged to thebloodline of Kusha, he was also known asKaushika. By birth, he was aSu-Kshatriya, signifying a noble lineage of emperors.
The Birth of Satyavathi and Her Marriage
Gadhi had only one daughter,Satyavathi, renowned for her exceptional virtues and known asSugunala Rasi, meaning a woman of the highest qualities. Many kings sought her hand in marriage due to her reputation. Among them wasRichikudu or Richika or Ruchika, the son ofSage Bhrigu, belonging to the Brahmin caste. However, as Gadhi was a Kshatriya, he adhered to the Vedic tradition, which allowed Brahmins to marry Kshatriya women but required a ritual gift, known asKanyasulkam, for the bride's family.
Gadhi stipulated that the suitor must present1,000 white horses, each glowing like moonlight, with a distinctivesingle black ear resembling a black lotus. Ruchika, relying on his ascetic power, approachedVaruna, the deity of water, inVaruna Loka, a celestial realm described in theMahabharata. Varuna, though not the regional ruler, possessed the ability to grant lineage and posterity. He agreed to assist Ruchika and instructed him to perform a ritual on the banks of theGanges River inKanya Kujya, where the horses would emerge from the waters. The location, known asAshwa Theertham, serves as a testament to this event. Ruchika fulfilled Gadhi’s demand and married Satyavathi.
The Divine Bows and Ruchika's Legacy
During this period, two legendary bows were created—one was granted toLord Shiva, later given toKing Janaka, while the other was bestowed uponRuchika byLord Vishnu. The Vishnu bow, was unbendable by anyone, known asNyasam.
Following his marriage, Ruchika entered theGrihastha Ashrama (householder phase). Sage Bhrigu later visited his son’s household, where Satyavathi received him with utmost reverence, adhering to the Vedic tradition of treating her father-in-law with the same respect as her father. Impressed, Sage Bhrigu offered her a boon. She requested a son for herself and one for her father, Gadhi, ensuring the continuation of both family lineages.
The Birth of Vishwamitra and the Role of Sage Bhrigu
Sage Bhrigu prepared two sacred pots of rice (Havishyannam) infused with Vedic mantras. One was designated for Satyavathi and the other for her mother. The intention was that Satyavathi’s son would be a Brahmin, devoted to penance and spiritual pursuits, while Gadhi’s son would be a Kshatriya ruler. However, due to an inadvertent switch of the pots, the destinies of the unborn children were altered. Consequently,Vishwamitra was born to Gadhi’s wife, rather than to Satyavathi.
Realizing the error, Satyavathi sought to rectify it. Sage Bhrigu granted her a boon ensuring that her son would be born as a grandson instead. As a result,Sage Jamadagni was born as Satyavathi’s son. In turn,Jamadagni’s son was Lord Parashurama, an incarnation of Vishnu.
References
The events described originate from texts such as theMahabharata (Aranya Parva, Shanti Parva), Bhagavata Purana, and Brahmanda Purana.
EmperorVishwamitra, the ruler ofBhu Mandala (the planetary system known asBhū-maṇḍala extends to the limits of the sunshine. According to modern science, the sunshine reaches earth from a distance of93,000,000 miles. If we calculate according to this modern information, 93,000,000 miles can be considered the radius of Bhū-maṇḍala. In theGāyatrī mantra, we chant oṁ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ. The word bhūr refers to Bhū-maṇḍala. Tat savitur vareṇyam: the sunshine spreads throughout Bhū-maṇḍala. Therefore the sun is worshipable.), governed his vast empire for centuries by adhering toDharma, ensuring peace and prosperity among his people. His reign was marked by righteousness, and under his rule, the land flourished.
One day, while returning from an expedition with anAkshauhini army (21870 elephant + 21870 chariot + 65610 horse + 109350 foot soldiers = 218,700 warriors)—comprising warriors, chariots, horses, and elephants—Vishwamitra happened upon the hermitage ofSage Vasistha Maharishi. Out of reverence for the great sage, he halted his journey and decided to visit the ashram.
Upon his arrival, SageVasistha welcomed Vishwamitra with traditionalAthidhi Satkara (respecting the guest). He offeredPadyamu (water to wash his feet),Arghyamu (water to cleanse his hands), andAsanam (a seat to rest). The two men exchanged pleasantries and discussed the well-being of their people and the balance of Dharma.
As the afternoon approached, Vishwamitra expressed his intent to leave, stating that his soldiers remained outside the ashram and had not accompanied him inside. However, Vasistha insisted,“O Vishwamitra, you have come all the way here. Please accept my Athidhyam (offering of food and hospitality).”
Vishwamitra humbly declined, saying,“You have already given me the highest respect, offering water, fruits, and your kind words. Your love and regard are enough for me. I seek nothing more.”
But Vasistha persisted, stating,“You are an emperor, and my guest. You have visited my ashram at the time of meals. AnAthidhi (guest) is considered equal to Sriman Narayana, the Supreme Divine. It is my duty to ensure that no guest leaves my home without receiving Athidhi Satkaryam (complete hospitality). Therefore, I shall provide food not only for you but also for your entireParivaram—your soldiers, attendants, and animals, including your horses and elephants. Please accept my offering and leave after satisfying your hunger.”
Vishwamitra, moved by the sage’s insistence, replied,“O revered sage, you are a Brahmarshi, a seer of great wisdom. There is no need for you to take such trouble. Your blessings alone are enough for us. Please allow me to leave.”
Yet, Vasistha remained firm in his hospitality, and Vishwamitra, intrigued, finally relented. He decided to witness how the sage would arrange a feast for thousands of men and animals.
At that moment, Vasistha summoned his divine cow,Sabhala, also known asKamadhenu—the celestial wish-fulfilling cow. With a mere command from the sage,Sabhala manifested a lavish feast, preparing food suited to the desires and preferences of each individual present. Every soldier, servant, and animal was nourished, their hunger completely satisfied.
Vishwamitra watched in astonishment, unable to believe what he had just witnessed. He thought to himself,“What a miraculous being this Kamadhenu is! Despite being an emperor, I do not possess such a treasure, yet this sage owns it.”
Driven by curiosity and desire, Vishwamitra turned to Vasistha and said,“O great sage, grant me this sacred cow. Such a divine gift belongs in the hands of a king, for with Kamadhenu’s powers, I can provide for my entire kingdom.”
However, Vasistha refused, replying,“O Vishwamitra, Kamadhenu is not an object to be given away. She is an integral part of my ashram, and she sustains my way of life. Through her, I perform Swaha Karam (offerings in Yagnas), Havyam (food offerings to deities), and Kavyam (rituals for honoring ancestors through sacred fire). She enables myPrana Yatra (spiritual journey),Bhuta Bali (offerings to all beings), and my Vedic studies. She is the essence of my hermitage—without her, my existence here is incomplete. She is my mother, and parting from her is impossible.”
Determined to possess Kamadhenu, Vishwamitra made an extraordinary offer, saying,
“O Vasistha, in exchange for Sabhala, I will grant you riches beyond imagination:
Whatever you wish for, name it, and I shall provide. In return, grant me Kamadhenu.”
Yet, Vasistha remained unmoved.“O Emperor, no wealth or power can replace Kamadhenu. She is not a mere possession; she is the lifeblood of my dharma. No matter what you offer, I shall not part with her.”
Vishwamitra’s face darkened as he heard these words. A seed ofRaga-Dvesha (attachment and aversion) had been sown in his heart. A thought took root—“Why can I not have this? Why is it beyond my reach?”—and with that thought, desire gave way toanger.
This moment marked the beginning of agreat transformation in Vishwamitra’s journey—a turning point that would shape the destiny of both the sage and the king.
Vasishta destroys Vishvamitra's entire army by the simple use of his great mystic and spiritual powers, breathing theOm syllable. Vishvamitra then undertakes atapasya for several years to pleaseShiva, who bestows upon him the knowledge of celestial weaponry. He proudly goes to Vasiștha's ashram again and uses all kinds of powerful weapons to destroy Vasishta and his hermitage. He succeeded in the killings of Vasistha's thousand sons but not Vasistha himself.
An enraged Vasistha brings out hisbrahmadanda, a wooden stick imbued with the power ofBrahma. It consumes Vishvamitra's most powerful weapon, thebrahmastra. Vasistha then attempts to attack Vishvamitra, but his anger is allayed byDevas. Vishvamitra is left humiliated while Vasistha restores his hermitage.[12][13]
Menaka was born during thechurning of the ocean by the devas and asuras and was one of the most beautifulapsaras (celestial nymph) in the world with quick intelligence and innate talent. However, Menaka desired a family. Due to his penance and the power he achieved through it, Vishvamitra frightened the gods and even tried to create another heaven. Indra, frightened by Vishvamitra's powers, sent Menaka from heaven to earth to lure him and break his meditation. Menaka successfully incited Vishvamitra's lust and passion. She succeeded in breaking the meditation of Vishvamitra. However, she fell in genuine love with him and a girl was born to them who later grew in Sage Kanva's ashram and came to be calledShakuntala. Later, Shakuntala falls in love with King Dushyanta and gives birth to a child calledBharata.[14]
Kanva describes this tale in theMahabharata:[15]
And the timid and beautiful Menaka then entered the retreat and saw there Visvamitra who had burnt, by his penances, all his sins, and was engaged still in ascetic penances. And saluting the Rishi, she then began to sport before him. And just at that time Marut robbed her of her garments that were white as the Moon.
And she thereupon ran, as if in great bashfulness, to catch hold of her attire, and as if she was exceedingly annoyed with Marut. And she did all this before the very eyes of Visvamitra who was endued with energy like that of fire. And Visvamitra saw her in that attitude.
And beholding her divested of her robes, he saw that she was of faultless feature. And that best of Munis saw that she was exceedingly handsome, with no marks of age on her person.
And beholding her beauty and accomplishments that bull amongst Rishis was possessed with lust and made a sign that he desired her companionship. And he invited her accordingly, and she also of faultless features expressed her acceptance of the invitation. And they then passed a long time there in each other’s company.
And sporting with each other, just as they pleased, for a long time as if it were only a single day, the Rishi begat on Menaka a daughter named Sakuntala. And Menaka (as her conception advanced) went to the banks of the river Malini coursing along a valley of the charming mountains of Himavat. And there she gave birth to that daughter. And she left the new-born infant on the bank of that river and went away.
— Vyasa,Mahabharata, Section 72
However, later, Vishvamitra merely cursed Menaka to be separated from him forever, for he loved her as well and knew that she had lost all devious intentions towards him long ago.
After succumbing to Menakā's flirtations, and after having a daughter with her, Vishvamitra then travels south to theGodāvarī to resume his austerities, settling down at a spot next where Śiva stood as Kālañjara.[16]
Vishvamitra was also tested by the ApsaraRambha. She, however, was also cursed by Vishvamitra.[17]
After cursing Rambha, Vishvamitra goes to the highest mountain ofHimalayas to perform an even more severe tapasya for over 1000 years. He ceases to eat and reduces his breathing to a bare minimum.
He is tested again by Indra, who comes as a poorBrahmin begging for food just as Kaushika is ready to break a fast of many years by eating some rice. Kaushika instantly gives his food away to Indra and resumes his meditation. Kaushika also finally masters his passions, refusing to be provoked by any of Indra's testing and seductive interferences.
At the penultimate culmination of a multi-thousand-year journey, Kaushika's yogic power is at a peak. At this point, Brahma, as the head ofDevas led by Indra, names Kaushika aBrahmarishi and names himVishvamitra orFriend of All for his unlimited compassion. He then goes to meet Vashishta. It was customary that, if a sage was greeted by an equal or superior person, the sage would also greet the person. If the sage was greeted by an inferior person, the sage would simply bless them. Initially, when Vishvamitra greeted Vashishta with the pride of being a new Brahmarishi in heart, Vashishta simply blessed him. Suddenly all pride and desire left Vishvamitra's heart and he became a clean and clear Brahmarishi. When Vishvamitra turned back to leave, Vashishta realised a change of heart and proceeded to greet Vishvamitra. Vishvamitra is also embraced byVashista and their enmity is instantly ended.[18]
Another story Vishvamitra is known for is his creation of his own version ofSvarga or heaven, calledTrisanku Svarga.
When a proud KingTrisanku asked hisGuruVashista to send him to heaven in his own body, guru responded that the body cannot ascend to heaven. King Trisanku then asked Vashista's hundred sons to send him to heaven. The sons, believing that Trisanku should not come to them after their father had refused, took outrage and cursed Trisanku to be a Chandala. Trisanku was transformed into a person with body smeared of ash, clothed in black and wearing iron jewelry. Unrecognizable to his subjects, he was driven out of the kingdom.
In his exile, Trisanku came across the sage Vishvamitra, who agreed to help him. Vishvamitra organized a great sacrifice and ritual propitiating theDevas, pleading that they accept Trisanku into heaven. Not one Deva responded. Angered, Vishvamitra used his yogic powers and ordered Trisanku to rise to heaven. Miraculously, Trisanku rose into the sky until he reached heaven, where he was pushed back down byIndra.
Enraged even more by this, Vishvamitra commenced the creation of another universe (including another Brahma) for Trisanku. He had only completed the Universe whenBrihaspati ordered him to stop. Trisanku, however, did not fully transcend through TrisankuSvarga created for him. He remained fixed and upside-down in the sky and was transformed into aconstellation, which is now known asCrux.[19]
In the process of forming a new universe, Vishvamitra used up all the tapas he had gained from his austerities. Therefore, after the Trisanku episode, Vishvamitra had to start his prayers again to attain the status of aBrahmarshi and become an equal of Vashista.
While undertaking a penance, Kaushika helps a boy namedShunashepa who has been sold by his parents to be sacrificed atHarishchandra'syagna to pleaseVaruna. The king's son Rohit does not want to be the one sacrificed, as was originally promised to Varuna, so youngSunashepa is taken. A devastated and terrifiedSunashepa falls at the feet of Kaushika, who is deep in meditation and begs for his help.[20]
Kaushika teaches secret mantras to Sunashepa. The boy sings these mantras at the ceremony, is blessed byMitra andVaruna and Ambarisha's ceremony is completed.
In another version of the story, Sunahshepa is lost son of Vishvamitra. When Vishvamitra was Prince of Bharats (Kaushik) - and his name was Vishwarath then, he was abducted by the enemy king Shambar. There, Shambar's daughter, Ugra, falls in love with Vishvarath. Ugra convinces Prince Vishvarath to marry her. Looking at the good character of Vishvarath, Shambar also agrees for the marriage. Soon after the marriage, the Bharatas win the battle against Shambar. When they found their Prince Vishvarath alive, they feel happy but they could not accept Ugra as their future queen as she is an Asura. To convert Ugra into an Sura, Vishvarath creates Gayatri Mantra, but people still refuse to accept her. Soon she gives birth to a son, but to save the son from the angry people, the greatest female sageLopamudra sends the child to a hidden place. To Lopamudra and Vishvarath's sadness, people kill Ugra. But the son is saved, without the knowledge of Vishvarath. This child grows young and he comes to sacrifice himself in the ceremony of Ambarisha (or King Harishchandra).[21]
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In theHindu epicRamayana, Vishvamitra is the preceptor ofRama and his brotherLakshmana. Rama is prince ofAyodhya, and the seventhAvatar of godVishnu .
Vishvamitra gives them the knowledge of theDevastras or celestial weaponry [bala and ati bala], trains them in advanced religion and guides them to kill powerful demons likeTadaka,Maricha andSubahu. He also leads them to theSwayamvara ceremony for princessSita, who becomes wife of Rama.[22]
Vishvamitra is said to have written theGayatri Mantra. It is a verse from a sukta of Rigveda (Mandala 3.62.10). Gāyatrī is the name of theVedic meter in which the verse is composed.
Gayatri mantra is repeated and cited very widely in Vedic literature[23] and praised in several well-known classical Hindu texts such asManusmriti ("there is nothing greater than theSavitri (Gayatri) Mantra.", Manu II, 83),[24]Harivamsa[25] andBhagavad Gita.[26][27] The mantra is an important part of theupanayana ceremony for young males inHinduism and has long been recited bydvija men as part of their daily rituals. ModernHindu reform movements spread the practice of the mantra to include women and all castes and its recitation is now widespread.[28][29]
Vishvamitra had many children from different women.Madhuchhanda was also a composer of many hymns in the Rigveda.[30]According to theMahabharata,Sushruta, the father of plastic surgery, was one of his sons.[31] Ashtaka, who was born fromMadhavi, was successor to his kingdom.[32][33]Shakuntala was born from the damselMenaka. She was the mother ofBharata, who became a powerful emperor as well as an ancestor ofKuru kings.[34][35]
Vishvamitra is one of the eight main gotras of Brahmins. All Brahmins belonging to Kaushika or Vishvamitra gotra are believed to have descended from Sage Vishvamitra.[36][37] The distinction can be found from the respective pravaras,[38]
Kaushika is one of the pravara gotras of Vishvamitra gotra amongBrahmins.[39]
The story of the king Vishwamitra turning into aBrahmarishi has been the topic of a mytho-fiction book by Dr. Vineet Aggarwal.[40]
Amar Chitra Katha series number 599 titled Vishwamitra, published in 1975, also tells the story of Vishwamitra in the form of a graphic novel.[41]
Nor vanquish him in battle field, For Kus'ik's son the youth will shield.
madhuchanda son of vishvamitra rigveda.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link).
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