SAGEGAUTHAMA-Part 2 Dearfriends,
This posting about sage GAUTHAMA is compiled from Googlesearch by asking many questions curious to me and posted in my style which isdesired by a few members than as QA posting. Information relevant from Wikipedia and other sourcesare 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 2nd part of the posting Gopalakrishnan 22-02-2026 Legend - Ahalyaappeared during churning of milky ocean Based on Hindu scriptures, the story of Ahalya appearingduring the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) is not the primary or most common legend. Instead,she is generally described as a woman created by Lord Brahma. A less common tradition in the Mahari dance of Odisha suggests Brahmacreated Ahalya from water torival the beauty of the celestial nymph Urvashi, subtly linking herorigin to the cosmic waters. She is often described as ayonijasambhava, or notborn of a woman. As per the legend sage Gauthama was an onlooker of the churning of milky ocean.On appearing she looked on sides. Indra desired to have her, but hesitatedto ask Brahma to give her to him. Brahma simply asked sage Gauthama to bring her up. Onreaching maturity sage Gauthama took her to Brahma. Brahma asked him to marryher and have a family life. My note- There is a Malayalam saying- “Mathilumchari ninnavan, penninemkondu poyi”-meaning the man remained idle watching a marriage, finally got thebride. Upaniṣads Gautama is mentioned in two tales inside Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad.He speaks to Yajñavalkyawith Uddālaka Āruṇi, Gārgī Vāchaknavī and other Kuru and Pañcāla sages in KingJanaka's kingdom totest to see if Yajñavalkya is a great sage. He also has a conversation with Pravāhaṇa Jaivali after Jaivali meets Śvetaketu andrequests to meet his father. Jaivali promises to grant Gautama aboon, and describes the beauty and depth of the physical world, and teaches himhow to perform yajña Significance of SageGautama Sage Gautama is portrayed in various texts, including Puranas and Kavya, as asignificant figure embodying wisdom and moral guidance. He is known for instructing King Mitrasaha on expiation forsins, being the husband of Ahalya, and guiding King Harishcandra in spiritual matters. Additionally, he offers refuge to rishis during famine andengages in penance at Kailasa. In Kavya, he emphasizes the importance of Gokarna, furtherhighlighting his role as a compassionate and revered sage in multiplenarratives. The concept of SageGautama in local and regional sources History Books Sage Gautama is linked to a myth wherein he cursed Indra, resulting in marks resembling acrescent or eye on Indra's body, thus establishing a connectionbetween Indra and the peacock, a symbol of his associated imagery. He is the Guru who tested Satyakama's truthfulness regardinghis caste and declared him eligible to learn the scriptures Gautama’s curse on thebrahmanas who wished to leave, creating a deception as an excuse to do so. FromVaraha Purana. In ancient times, the sage Gautama performed austerities in Dandakaranya forest. LordBrahma became pleased and gave him some divine seeds capable of producingeternal crops. Gautama then went to Saptasring mountain and made hishermitage there. He sowedthe seeds and was very pleased to see rice grains sprouting up within moments.Gautama lived there happily with his disciples. In due course of time, thewhole country was plagued by a great famine — everywhere except at thehermitage of Gautama. One day, a few sages arrived at Gautama’s hermitage, and hetreated them with all respect. These sages enjoyed the hospitality of Gautama,staying at his hermitage and engaging in long discussions with him, until eventually the famine was over. Then theydecided to go back to their respective native places. When they sought Gautama’spermission, he requested them to stay for a few more days. The sages then decided to use deceitful means for takingtheir leave of Gautama’s association. They created asuperficial cow with the help of their illusionary powers and left it near thehermitage of Gautama. Gautama was very pleased to see that cow. He eulogised itby sprinkling water on it. Hardly had he finished his act than the cow died. All the deceitful sages then returned to the scene, andcursed Gautama for killing an innocent cow. They toldhim that they could never live along with a person who had killed a cow, and onthis excuse, they took their leave, just as they had meant to do all along. Gautama then strictly observed the prescribed atonement forsuch an inauspicious act as killing a cow. Afterwards he discovered that the cowhad simply been an illusion created by the brahmanas as part of theirdeception. He angrily cursed them to lose their Vedic knowledge. Inthis way, knowledge turned to ignorance. Bringing Godavari toearth Sage Gautama was instrumental in bringing the river Godavarion the earth to get rid of the draught in the region. According to the Shiva Purana, Sage Gautama brought the riverGodavari to earth. After intense penance to Lord Shiva on the Brahmagiri Mountainto end a 12-year drought and cleanse himself of a karmic sin, Shiva released the Ganga, whichflowed as the Gautami Godavari, also known as the Dakshin Ganga (Ganges of theSouth). Key Details of theLegend: The Penance: During a severe famine, Gautama performed severepenance (tapashcharya) to appease Lord Shiva for water. Shiva's Blessing: Pleased,Shiva released a part of the Ganga from his matted locks, which flowed down tothe Brahmagiri hill in Nashik. Kushavarta: To stop the rapid flow, SageGautama surrounded the river with enchanted kusha grass, forming a sacred waterkund (pond) known as Kushavarta, from where the river originates. Significance: The River is also known as Gautamidue to this, and the place of its descent is the site of the TriambakeshwarJyotirlinga. Therefore, in the context of the Puranas, Gautama Maharishiis considered the creator/bringer of the Godavari river to the earth. River Ganga bathes inriver Godavari According to Hindu traditions and Puranic legends, it isbelieved that the River Ganga bathes in the River Godavari towash away the sins accumulated by millions of devotees who take holy dips inher waters. Here are the keydetails regarding this belief: Origin: The story is closely linked to the sage Gautama, who,with the help of Lord Shiva, brought the Ganga down to the Deccan region toabsolve himself of the sin ofGau Hatya (killing a cow). The Purification Cycle: While the Ganga is considered thesupreme purifier of human sins, puranic legends suggests that the immense burden of these sins makes her impure. To cleanse herself, theGoddess Ganga is believed to visit the Godavari (often called Dakshina Ganga orthe Ganga of the South) at specific times. Kushavartha Tirtha(Trimbakeshwar): Itis said that at Kushavartha Tirtha in Trimbakeshwar, where the Godavarioriginates, Ganga cleanses herself of the sins she has absorbed. Pushkaram Festival: This belief is highlighted during the Godavari Pushkaram (afestival occurring every 12 years), when it is believed that all holy rivers,including Ganga, merge into the Godavari. Therefore, the story emphasizes the sanctity of the GodavariRiver and provides a symbolic explanation for the "cycle ofpurification" in Hindu beliefs. Kaveri Pushkaram Kaveri Pushkaram is a major 12-day Hindu festival dedicatedto worshipping the River Kaveri, occurring once every 12 years when Jupiter(Guru) enters the Scorpio (Vrischika) zodiac sign, usually falling inSeptember. It involves holydips, ancestral rituals, and prayers for prosperity, with major celebrations inTamil Nadu and Karnataka. Key Aspects of KaveriPushkaram: Significance: It is believed that taking a holy dip in theriver during this time washes away sins and that all celestial deities andsages are present in the river. Timing: While it occurs every 12 years, a Maha Pushkaram(once in 144 years) was last celebrated from September 12–23, 2017. The nextregular Kaveri Pushkaram is in 2029. Rituals: Devotees perform Pinda Daanam (ancestor worship),holy bathing, and prayers, particularly in centers like Mayiladuthurai, Srirangam, andTalakaveri. Context: It is part of the 12-year cycle of festivalsdedicated to 12 major sacred rivers in India, with the specific riverdetermined by the position of Jupiter. The festival also serves as a celebration of gratitude to theriver that sustains agriculture and life in the region. My note- During 2017, Iwas at Papanasam, during Kaveri Pushkaram, in connection with visiting Kuladeivamtemple at Sadavudayar kovil and could participate in it. Papanasam in Tirunelveli District was fully crowded morethan it could bear, some times. Relation with GodavariPushkaram Kaveri Pushkaram andGodavari Pushkaram are closely related as they are both part of the same12-day, once-every-12-years Hindu river festival series dedicated to 12 major sacred rivers,based on the movement of Jupiter (Brihaspati) into corresponding zodiac signs. Both involve holy baths, ancestorworship, and spiritual rituals, with the specific river honored depending onthe zodiac sign Jupiter is in that year. Key similarities anddistinctions include: Shared Tradition: Both are part of the same 12-river, 12-yearcycle that includes Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada, Saraswathi, Krishna, and others. Astrological Basis: Each festival occurs when Jupiter entersa specific zodiac sign (e.g., Godavari is often linked with Leo/Simha, whileothers fall on different signs). Rituals: Both involve similar rituals: bathing in the riverto wash away sins, offering oblations to ancestors, and conducting culturalprograms. Frequency: While the festival happens annually, it isspecifically held for Godavari in a different year than when it is held forKaveri. Essentially, they are different regional manifestations of the samespiritual event, alternating based on celestial calculations. 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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