Vamadeva (Sanskrit:वामदेव,romanized: Vāmadeva) is arishi (sage) inHindu literature. He is credited as the author ofMandala 4 of theRigveda. He is mentioned prominently in theUpanishads as well, particularly theBrihadaranyaka and theAitareya. He is described to be the son of a sage named Gotama and the brother of Nodhasa, who is also associated with hymns in theRigveda.[1] According to the orientalistPargiter, Vamadeva is the father of Brihaduktha, and belongs to the lineage of SageAngiras.[2]
Vamadeva is probably abahuvrihi (Sanskrit compound) which means "he whose God is beautiful".
In theMahabharata, a king of theSolar dynasty named Shala visits Vamadeva'shermitage during a hunt, asking the sage for a few of his horses belonging to the herd called vamya, reputed to be swift. Vamadeva agrees to lend the king the vamyas for the purpose of catching a deer, on the condition that they be returned to him immediately after the king's hunt. Shala breaks his word following the hunt, considering the horses unfit for the possession of aBrahmin, keeping them within his palace. Following a month, Vamadeva sends his disciple to ask the king to return the vamyas, but is refused. Angered, the sage personally travels to the king's court to demand their return. When refused once more, the sage warns the king not to create a conflict between their respective classes. The king offers the sage bulls, donkeys, and other horses instead, calling Vamadeva unworthy to own the vamyas. Furious, Vamadeva curses the king to be slain byrakshasas, and Shala is killed. His brother, Dala, upon ascending the throne, also refuses to give up the horses, and plots to have Vamadeva killed with a poisoned arrow. Vamadeva foils this scheme. When the new king repents, Vamadeva tells him that he may be absolved of the sin of trying tomurder a Brahmin by touching his queen with the arrow. The queen praises the sage and promises to serve Brahmins well thereafter. Pleased, Vamadeva offers her a boon, and she asks that he forgive her husband and wish him well. The boon granted, Dala returns the horses to the sage.[3][4]
In the same epic, he offers advice to King Vasumanas about the importance of righteousness.[5]
In theGanesha Purana, Vamadeva curses agandharva who accidentally trampled him to become a mouse. When the gandharva begged for mercy, the sage added that as a mouse, he would assume the honourable role of thevahana (mount) ofGanesha.[6]
In multiple places in the early Buddhist texts, such as theVinaya Pitaka of theMahavagga (I.245)[7] section the Buddha lists the ancient Vedic rishis "Atthako, Vâmako,Vâmadevo,Vessâmitto,Yamataggi,Angiraso,Bhâradvâjo,Vâsettho,Kassapo, andBhagu".[8] He consistently rejects the authority of the Vedas and the ancient seers, comparing them to a line of blind men.[9]