SAGEVASISTHA-Part 2 Dearfriends,
This posting about sage VASISTHA is compiled from Google search by asking manyquestions curious to me and posted in my style which is desired by a fewmembers than asQA posting. Informationrelevant from Wikipedia is also included. Thisposting is least intended to all knowing and criticizing and fault findingmembers. Hope the postings will be interesting and informative to manyof my friends. Since the information is more it is posted in parts. This is SECOND part of the posting about Sage Vasistha. Gopalakrishnan 18-02-2026 Rivalry with sage Vishvamitra Vasishtha is known for his feud with Vishvamitra. The kingVishvamitra coveted Vasishtha's divine cow Nandini (Kamadhenu) that couldfulfil material desires. Vasishtha destroyed Vishvamitra's army and sons.Vishvamitra acquired weapons from Shiva and incinerated Vasishtha's hermitageand sons, but Vasishtha baffled all of Vishvamitra's weapons. There is also aninstance mentioned in the Mandala 7, of the Rig-Veda about the Battle of theTen Kings. This battle was fought as King Sudas of Bharata tribe appointed Vashishtha instead ofVishvamitra as his main priest. Reconcile with Vasisitha However later, Vishvamitra betook severe penances forthousands of years and became a Brahmarshi. He eventually reconciled with Vasishtha. Arundhati, wife ofsage Vasistha insisted him to make sage Viswamithra as Bramarshi, once he becameleast pride. Arundati- Pathivratha Sage Vasishta is primarily recognized as having one wife,Arundhati, who is synonymous with loyalty and virtue in Hindu tradition. WhileArundhati is the commonly cited spouse, some Puranic sources also refer to heras Urja or mention her asthe daughter of Kardama. Other interpretations, based on the threebirths of Vasishta, mention different, though similar, narratives of hismarriage. Arundhati, the wife of the sage Vashistha, appearsprominently in both the Vedas and major Hindu epics, where she is revered as anideal of womanhood, fidelity, and wisdom. She is often described as an equal toher husband, the Rishi Vashistha, and in many traditions, she is consideredequal in status to the Saptarishis (the seven sages). Arundati- Appearances in Scriptures Vedas (Vedic Literature): She is mentioned in theGrihya-sutras (such as the Gobhila-grihya-sutra and Apastamba Grihya-sutra),where she is invoked as a pattern of conjugal excellence during weddingrituals. She is also identified as a star in the Taittirīyāraṇyaka. Ramayana: In the Valmiki Ramayana (specifically in the UttaraKanda), she plays a significant role in caring for Sita after her abandonment byRama. She is also mentioned as having many sons who were cursed by Vishvamitra. Mahabharata: She is described as an enlightened soul and apowerful ascetic who was capable of giving spiritual discourses to theSaptarishis themselves. In this epic, she is portrayed as having unsurpassedchastity, to the point where even the wife of Agni (fire god) could notreplicate her form. Puranas: She is mentioned in numerous Puranas, including theShiva Purana (where she is identified as the reborn Sandhya), Bhagavata Purana(as the daughter of Kardama and Devahuti), and Vishnu Purana. Significance andSymbolism of showing Arundati. Wedding Ritual (Arundhati Darshan): As part of Hindu marriagerites, the newlywed couple is shown the star Arundhati (Alcor) along withVashistha (Mizar) in the Saptarishi constellation (Ursa Major) to represent alasting, stable, and devoted marriage. Chiranjeevi Vasistha Based on Hindu scriptural accounts, particularly the Puranasand the Mahabharata, Sage Vasistha is a Chiranjeevi (immortal) or a Manasaputra(mind-born son) of Brahma who experiences multiple births and deaths acrossdifferent Manvantaras (cosmic ages). Disciples Sage Vasistha had numerous disciples, and his hermitage wasknown to be a place of learning for thousands of students. As a reveredBrahmarishi, one of the Saptarishis (seven great sages), he guided countlessaspirants in the Vedas and dharma. His disciples included royal figures, sages, and aspirants. Notable among his disciples wereLord Rama and his brothers, King Harischandra, Bhishma, Nahusha, Rantideva, andKing Samvarta. Thousands of Disciples: References indicate that his ashramrequired significant resources, such as milk and ghee from his divine cow,Nandini, to feed thousands of his disciples and guests. Preceptor of IkshvakuDynasty: Vasistha served as the family preceptor (Kulapati) for theIkshvaku clan, teaching generations of kings, including Manu. Teacher of Wisdom: In the Yoga Vasistha, he imparts profoundknowledge to Lord Rama regarding the nature of existence, mind, and liberation. His role as a teacher was integral to his life, with dailyroutines involving imparting knowledge to a large, diverse group of seekers. Children In Hindu mythology, Sage Vasishta and his wife Arundhati hadseveral children, often cited as seven or eight sons, including sage Śakti. Some accounts indicate that they had a hundred sons who wereultimately lost. Children mentioned: sage Śakti, Citraketu, Surocis,Virajas, Mitra, Ulbana, Vasubhrdyana, and Dyumat. Losing 100 sons bysage Vasistha The narrative of Sage Vasistha losing 100 sons, despite otheraccounts mentioning only seven, stems from different Puranic, epic, andmythological interpretations, where the "hundred sons" represents asymbolic or expanded lineage destroyed by Vishwamitra (or his influenceddemons). In many traditions, the eldest son, Shakti, is killed, followed by the remaining sons,leaving only the unborn child of Adrisyanti (Parasara) to continue the line. Here are the key detailsregarding this discrepancy: The Conflict: Vishwamitra, out ofjealousy over Vasistha's Kamadhenu cow (Nandini), cursed Vasistha’s sons. The Incident: Vishwamitraempowered a demon to possess King Kalmashapada, who then killed all 100 sons ofVasistha. The "hundred" sons often represents a larger groupin the Ramayana Chapter 35 and other Puranic versions. Therefore, the "100 sons" is the commonly acceptednumber in the context of the feud with Vishwamitra as described in the Ramayanaand Mahabharata, whereas the "seven" represents a different traditionor specific grouping Puthrakameshti Yaga Sage Vasistha advised King Dasaratha to have sage Rishyasringaperform the Putrakameshti Yagam primarily because Rishyasringawas uniquely qualified, having the specialized knowledge of the Yajurvedarequired for this specific ritual, and he possessed exceptional purity andpowers. Additionally, Rishyasringa was considered auspicious for theritual's success. Key reasons to havesage Rishya Sringa for Puthra KameshtiYaga not Vaistha himself Specialized Expertise: The Putrakameshti Yagam (sacrifice for children) was acomplex ritual requiring profound knowledge of the Yajurveda, whichRishyasringa, a saintly figure, held. Unique Purity: Rishyasringa lived a secluded,highly ascetic life (living only with his father), making him pure and freefrom worldly attachments, which was essential for such a significant, holyceremony. Divine Intervention: The goal was to secure divineintervention, which was believed to be guaranteed through the spiritualauthority of Rishyasringa Divine Connection: As noted in this Basti governmentwebsite page, Rishyasringa was also married to Shanta, who was considered thedaughter of King Dasharatha and Kaushalya, establishing a familial connection. Although Vasistha was the Kulaguru, he chose to delegate thisresponsibility to ensure the Yagam's success was guaranteed by the mostqualified rishi for that specific purpose, as stated on this Indic Today page. My note- Some searches shows sage Rishya sringa was NOT MARRIED while conducting the Yagam. Dasaratha and hisdaughter Based on some versions of the Ramayana tradition, SageVasistha, as the kulaguru of King Dasaratha, played a role in advising on the adoption of Shanta, daughter of Dasaratha and Kausalya, by thechildless King Romapada of Angadesh. Vashistha suggested thisto bolster alliances and for the welfare of the dynasty. Background of Shanta: Shanta was theelder sister of Lord Rama, born to King Dasaratha and Queen Kausalya,but was given in adoption to Romapada (a friend of Dasaratha) and hiswife Vershini (Kausalya's sister). Vashistha's Role: Vashistha was the sage who oversaw thespiritual and political decisions of Ayodhya. Some accounts state he advised onthe adoption. Subsequent Events: Shanta grew up, married Sage Rishyasringa, and later it wasthis same Sage Rishyasringa whom Vashistha and Dasaratha invited to perform thePutrakameshti Yagna to help Dasaratha, who was then childless, have sons. Some accounts state that Rishyasringa did not haveany children before or while conducting the Putrakameshti Yagya for KingDasaratha; his marriage to Shanta (Dasaratha's adopted daughter) occurred later,and he was chosen for his purity and power to perform the ritual. He was theson of Sage Vibhandaka, not the Kulaguru of Dasaratha. Key Details Regardingthe Question: Rishyasringa's Children: The narrative focuses on hismarriage to Shanta to bring rain to Anga Desha and his role as a sage, but doesnot highlight his own children during the ceremony. Role in Yagya: Rishyasringa was a revered sage with immensespiritual power, specifically requested to perform the sacrifice. I will continue innext posting. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. 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