Vishvamitra (, ) is one of the most venerated
rishi
In Indian religions, a ''rishi'' ( ) is an accomplished and enlightened person. They find mention in various Vedic texts. Rishis are believed to have composed hymns of the Vedas. The Post-Vedic tradition of Hinduism regards the rishis as "gre ...
s or
sages
A sage (, ''sophós''), in classical philosophy, is someone who has attained wisdom. The term has also been used interchangeably with a 'good person' (, ''agathós''), and a 'virtuous person' (, ''spoudaîos''). Some of the earliest accounts of t ...
of
ancient India
Anatomically modern humans first arrived on the Indian subcontinent between 73,000 and 55,000 years ago. The earliest known human remains in South Asia date to 30,000 years ago. Sedentism, Sedentariness began in South Asia around 7000 BCE; ...
. Vishvamitra is one of the seven
Brahmarshi
In Hinduism, a Brahmarshi (Sanskrit ', a tatpurusha compound of ' and ') is a member of the highest class of Rishis ("seers" or "sages"). A Brahmarshi is a sage who has attained enlightenment and became a Jivanmukta by completely understanding th ...
. According to Hindu tradition, he is stated to have written most of the
Mandala 3
The third Mandala of the Rigveda has 62 hymns, mainly to Agni and Indra. It is one of the "family books" (mandalas 2-7), the oldest core of the Rigveda in Nepal, which were composed in early Vedic period (1500 – 1000 BCE). Most hymns in this book ...
of the
Rigveda
The ''Rigveda'' or ''Rig Veda'' (, , from wikt:ऋच्, ऋच्, "praise" and wikt:वेद, वेद, "knowledge") is an ancient Indian Miscellany, collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns (''sūktas''). It is one of the four sacred canoni ...
, including the
Gayatri Mantra
The Gāyatrī Mantra (), also known as the Sāvitrī Mantra (), is a sacred mantra from the ''Ṛig Veda'' ( Mandala 3.62.10), dedicated to the Vedic deity Savitr. The mantra is attributed to the rajarshi Vishvamitra.
The term Gāyatr ...
(3.62.10). The
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, and
Yajnavalkya
Yajnavalkya or Yagyavalkya (, International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration, IAST:) is a Hindu Vedic sage prominently mentioned in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (c. 700 BCE) and Taittiriya Upanishad, ''Tattiriya Upanishad''., Quote: "Yajnav ...
the last.
Before renouncing his kingdom and royal status, Brahmarishi Vishvamitra was a king, and thus he retained the title of
Rajarshi
Rajarshi () is a title in Hinduism and Hindu mythology, referring to a sage who hails from a royal background.
Description
A rajarshi may be described to be a king (raja) who adopted a path of devotion, thereby becoming a royal sage (rishi). A ...
, or 'royal sage'.
Textual background
Historically, Viśvāmitra Gāthina was a Rigvedic
rishi
In Indian religions, a ''rishi'' ( ) is an accomplished and enlightened person. They find mention in various Vedic texts. Rishis are believed to have composed hymns of the Vedas. The Post-Vedic tradition of Hinduism regards the rishis as "gre ...
who was the chief author of Mandala 3 of the Rigveda.
Viśvāmitra was taught by
Jamadagni Bhārgava. He was the
purohita
Purohita (), in the Hindu context, means '' chaplain'' or ''family priest'' within the Vedic priesthood. In Thailand and Cambodia, it refers to the royal chaplains. A ''tīrthapurohit'' is a priest/ritual performer (''purohit'') at a sacred si ...
of the
Bharata tribal king Sudās, until he was replaced by
Vasiṣṭha
Vasishtha (, ) is one of the oldest and revered Vedic rishis or sages, and one of the Saptarishis (seven great Rishis). Vasishtha is credited as the chief author of Mandala 7 of the ''Rigveda''. Vasishtha and his family are mentioned in Rigved ...
. He aided the Bharatas in crossing the Vipāśa and
Śutudrī rivers (modern
Beas and
Sutlej
The Sutlej River or the Satluj River is a major river in Asia, flowing through China, India and Pakistan, and is the longest of the five major rivers of the Punjab region. It is also known as ''Satadru''; and is the easternmost tributary of t ...
).
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.
In post-Rigvedic literature Viśvāmitra becomes a mythical sage.
Most of the stories related to Vishvamitra's life is narrated in the
Valmiki Ramayana
The ''Ramayana'' (; ), also known as ''Valmiki Ramayana'', as traditionally attributed to Valmiki, is a smriti text (also described as a Sanskrit literature, Sanskrit Indian epic poetry, epic) from ancient India, one of the two important epics ...
. Vishvamitra was a king in ancient India, also called Kaushika (descendant of Kusha) and belonged to
Amavasu Dynasty
The Amavasu dynasty () refers to a cadet branch of the Lunar dynasty ( Chandravamsha) featured in Hindu literature. This dynasty is named after Amavasu, the youngest son of Pururavas, the first monarch of the Lunar dynasty, and the apsara Urva ...
. Vishvamitra was originally the King of Kanyakubja (modern day
Kannauj
Kannauj (Hindustani language, Hindustani pronunciation: ) is an ancient city, administrative headquarters and a municipal board or Nagar palika, Nagar Palika Parishad in Kannauj district in the Indian States and territories of India, state of Ut ...
). He was a valiant warrior and the great-grandson of a great king named
Kushik. ''Valmiki Ramayana'', prose 51 of Bala Kanda, starts with the story of Vishvamitra:
His story also appears in various Puranas; however, with variations from ''Ramayana''.
Vishnu Purana
The Vishnu Purana () is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas, a genre of ancient and medieval texts of Hinduism. It is an important Pancharatra text in the Vaishnavism literature corpus.
The manuscripts of ''Vishnu Purana'' have survived into ...
and
Harivamsha chapter 27 (dynasty of Amaavasu) of ''Mahabharata'' narrates the birth of Vishvamitra. According to
Vishnu Purana
The Vishnu Purana () is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas, a genre of ancient and medieval texts of Hinduism. It is an important Pancharatra text in the Vaishnavism literature corpus.
The manuscripts of ''Vishnu Purana'' have survived into ...
,
Kushanabha
Kushanabha () is a king featured in Hindu texts. He is described to be the king of the Amavasu dynasty and belongs to the Chandravamsha line. He is stated to be the son of Kusha. Kushanabha is believed to be the founder of the city Mahodaya (Reg ...
married a damsel of Purukutsa dynasty (later called as Shatamarshana lineage - descendants of the
Ikshvaku
Ikshvaku (Sanskrit ; Pāli: ) is a legendary king in Indian religions, particularly Hindu and Jain scriptures
Jain literature () refers to the literature of the Jain religion. It is a vast and ancient literary tradition, which was initi ...
king Trasadasyu) and had a son by name Gaadhi, who had a daughter named Satyavati (not to be confused with the
Satyavati
Satyavati (, ; also spelled Satyawati) was the queen of the Kuru Kingdom in the Hindu epic ''Mahabharata''. Satyavati is married to king Shantanu of Hastinapura, and is a great-grandmother of the Pandava and Kaurava princes. She is also the m ...
of ''Mahabharata'').
Life and legends
Birth
Kusha and His Lineage
Kusha, the son of Lord Brahma, had numerous children, including Kushanabha. Kushanabha had 100 daughters, all of whom were married to Brahmadatta. Despite this, he lamented the absence of a son. To address this, he performed the Putra 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 was Gadhi, who later became the father of Sage Vishwamitra.
Since Vishwamitra belonged to the bloodline of Kusha, he was also known as Kaushika. By birth, he was a Su-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 as Sugunala Rasi, meaning a woman of the highest qualities. Many kings sought her hand in marriage due to her reputation. Among them was Richikudu or Richika or Ruchika, the son of Sage 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 as Kanyasulkam, for the bride's family.
Gadhi stipulated that the suitor must present 1,000 white horses, each glowing like moonlight, with a distinctive single black ear resembling a black lotus. Ruchika, relying on his ascetic power, approached Varuna, the deity of water, in Varuna Loka, a celestial realm described in the Mahabharata. 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 the Ganges River in Kanya Kujya, where the horses would emerge from the waters. The location, known as Ashwa 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 to Lord Shiva, later given to King Janaka, while the other was bestowed upon Ruchika by Lord Vishnu. The Vishnu bow, was unbendable by anyone, known as Nyasam.
Following his marriage, Ruchika entered the Grihastha 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 the Mahabharata (Aranya Parva, Shanti Parva), Bhagavata Purana, and Brahmanda Purana.
Conflicts with Vasishtha

Emperor Vishwamitra, the ruler of Bhu Mandala (the planetary system known as Bhū-maṇḍala extends to the limits of the sunshine. According to modern science, the sunshine reaches earth from a distance of 93,000,000 miles. If we calculate according to this modern information, 93,000,000 miles can be considered the radius of Bhū-maṇḍala. In the Gāyatrī 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 to Dharma, 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 an ''Akshauhini'' army (21870 elephant + 21870 chariot + 65610 horse + 109350 foot soldiers = 218,700 warriors)—comprising warriors, chariots, horses, and elephants—Vishwamitra happened upon the hermitage of Sage Vasistha Maharishi. Out of reverence for the great sage, he halted his journey and decided to visit the ashram.
Upon his arrival, Sage Vasistha welcomed Vishwamitra with traditional Athidhi Satkara (respecting the guest). He offered Padyamu (water to wash his feet), Arghyamu (water to cleanse his hands), and Asanam (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. An ''Athidhi'' (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 entire ''Parivaram''—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 as Kamadhenu—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 my ''Prana 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:
* 400 golden chariots, each drawn by 4 pure white, spotless horses, adorned in gold and jewels.
* 14,000 mighty elephants, adorned in gold and jewels.
* 11,000 of the finest breed of horses, the best in my kingdom.
* One crore (10 million) cows, to sustain your ashram for eternity.
* Gold and gemstones in limitless quantities.
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 of Raga-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 to anger.
This moment marked the beginning of a great transformation in Vishwamitra’s journey—a turning point that would shape the destiny of both the sage and the king.
Alternative version
Vasishta destroys Vishvamitra's entire army by the simple use of his great mystic and spiritual powers, breathing the
Om syllable. Vishvamitra then undertakes a
tapasya
Tapas (Sanskrit: तपस्, romanized: tapas) is a variety of austere spiritual meditation practices in Indian religions. In Jainism, it means asceticism (austerities, body mortification); in Buddhism, it denotes spiritual practices includin ...
for several years to please
Shiva
Shiva (; , ), also known as Mahadeva (; , , Help:IPA/Sanskrit, ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐh and Hara, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the God in Hinduism, Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions w ...
, 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 his ''brahmadanda'', a wooden stick imbued with the power of
Brahma
Brahma (, ) is a Hindu god, referred to as "the Creator" within the Trimurti, the triple deity, trinity of Para Brahman, supreme divinity that includes Vishnu and Shiva.Jan Gonda (1969)The Hindu Trinity, Anthropos, Bd 63/64, H 1/2, pp. 212– ...
. It consumes Vishvamitra's most powerful weapon, the
brahmastra
The () is a celestial weapon (''astra'') created and owned by the god Brahma along with its more powerful variant, the ''Brahmashirastra.
The later is considered as the most destructive, powerful, and irresistible weapon mentioned in all of ...
. Vasistha then attempts to attack Vishvamitra, but his anger is allayed by
Devas
Devas may refer to:
* Devas Club, a club in south London
* Anthony Devas (1911–1958), British portrait painter
* Charles Stanton Devas (1848–1906), political economist
* Jocelyn Devas (died 1886), founder of the Devas Club
* Devas (band), ...
. Vishvamitra is left humiliated while Vasistha restores his hermitage.
Seduction by Menaka
Menaka
Menaka ( ) is a prominent figure in Hindu mythology, celebrated as one of the most beautiful apsaras (celestial nymphs) in the court of Indra, the king of the gods. She is frequently sent by the gods to disturb the penance of sages whose growin ...
was born during the
churning of the ocean by the devas and asuras and was one of the most beautiful
apsara
Apsaras (, , Khmer language, Khmer: អប្សរា are a class of celestial beings in Hinduism, Hindu and Culture of Buddhism, Buddhist culture. They were originally a type of female spirit of the clouds and waters, but, later play ...
s (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 called
Shakuntala
Shakuntala () is a heroine in ancient Indian literature, best known for her portrayal in the ancient Sanskrit play '' Abhijnanashakuntalam'' (The Recognition of Shakuntala), written by the classical poet Kalidasa in the 4th or 5th century AD ...
. Later, Shakuntala falls in love with King Dushyanta and gives birth to a child called
Bharata.
Kanva
Kanva or Kanwa (, ), also called Karnesh, was an ancient Hindu rishi of the ''Treta Yuga'', to whom some of the hymns of the ''Rig Veda'' are ascribed. He was one of the Angirasas. He has been called a son of Ghora, but this lineage belongs to ...
describes this tale in the
Mahabharata
The ''Mahābhārata'' ( ; , , ) is one of the two major Sanskrit Indian epic poetry, epics of ancient India revered as Smriti texts in Hinduism, the other being the ''Ramayana, Rāmāyaṇa''. It narrates the events and aftermath of the Kuru ...
:
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 the
Godāvarī to resume his austerities, settling down at a spot next where Śiva stood as Kālañjara.
Vishvamitra was also tested by the Apsara
Rambha. She, however, was also cursed by Vishvamitra.
Rise to Brahmarishi
After cursing Rambha, Vishvamitra goes to the highest mountain of
Himalayas
The Himalayas, or Himalaya ( ), is a mountain range in Asia, separating the plains of the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau. The range has some of the Earth's highest peaks, including the highest, Mount Everest. More than list of h ...
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 poor
Brahmin
Brahmin (; ) is a ''Varna (Hinduism), varna'' (theoretical social classes) within Hindu society. The other three varnas are the ''Kshatriya'' (rulers and warriors), ''Vaishya'' (traders, merchants, and farmers), and ''Shudra'' (labourers). Th ...
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 of
Devas
Devas may refer to:
* Devas Club, a club in south London
* Anthony Devas (1911–1958), British portrait painter
* Charles Stanton Devas (1848–1906), political economist
* Jocelyn Devas (died 1886), founder of the Devas Club
* Devas (band), ...
led by Indra, names Kaushika a
Brahmarishi
In Hinduism, a Brahmarshi (Sanskrit ', a tatpurusha compound of ' and ') is a member of the highest class of Rishis ("seers" or "sages"). A Brahmarshi is a sage who has attained enlightenment and became a Jivanmukta by completely understanding th ...
and names him ''Vishvamitra'' or ''Friend 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 by
Vashista
Vasishtha (, ) is one of the oldest and revered Vedic rishis or sages, and one of the Saptarishis (seven great Rishis). Vasishtha is credited as the chief author of Mandala 7 of the ''Rigveda''. Vasishtha and his family are mentioned in Rigve ...
and their enmity is instantly ended.
Trisanku
Another story Vishvamitra is known for is his creation of his own version of ''
Svarga
Svarga (, ), also known as Swarga, Indraloka and Svargaloka, is the celestial abode of the devas in Hinduism. Svarga is one of the seven higher lokas ( esoteric planes) in Hindu cosmology. Svarga is often translated as heaven, though it is reg ...
'' or heaven, called ''Trisanku Svarga''.
When a proud King
Trisanku asked his
Guru
Guru ( ; International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration, IAST: ''guru'') is a Sanskrit term for a "mentor, guide, expert, or master" of certain knowledge or field. In pan-Indian religions, Indian traditions, a guru is more than a teacher: tr ...
Vashista
Vasishtha (, ) is one of the oldest and revered Vedic rishis or sages, and one of the Saptarishis (seven great Rishis). Vasishtha is credited as the chief author of Mandala 7 of the ''Rigveda''. Vasishtha and his family are mentioned in Rigve ...
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 the
Deva
Deva may refer to:
Arts and entertainment Fictional characters
* Deva, List of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition monsters, an ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' 2nd edition monster
* Deva, in the 2023 Indian film ''Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefir ...
s, 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 by
Indra
Indra (; ) is the Hindu god of weather, considered the king of the Deva (Hinduism), Devas and Svarga in Hinduism. He is associated with the sky, lightning, weather, thunder, storms, rains, river flows, and war. volumes
Indra is the m ...
.
Enraged even more by this, Vishvamitra commenced the creation of another universe (including another Brahma) for Trisanku. He had only completed the Universe when
Brihaspati
Brihaspati (, ), is a Hindu god. In the ancient Vedic scriptures, Brihaspati is associated with fire, and the word also refers to a god who counsels the devas and devis (gods and goddesses). In some later texts, the word refers to the large ...
ordered him to stop. Trisanku, however, did not fully transcend through Trisanku
Svarga
Svarga (, ), also known as Swarga, Indraloka and Svargaloka, is the celestial abode of the devas in Hinduism. Svarga is one of the seven higher lokas ( esoteric planes) in Hindu cosmology. Svarga is often translated as heaven, though it is reg ...
created for him. He remained fixed and upside-down in the sky and was transformed into a
constellation
A constellation is an area on the celestial sphere in which a group of visible stars forms Asterism (astronomy), a perceived pattern or outline, typically representing an animal, mythological subject, or inanimate object.
The first constellati ...
, which is now known as
Crux
CRUX is a lightweight x86-64 Linux distribution targeted at experienced Linux users and delivered by a tar.gz-based package system with BSD-style initscripts. It is not based on any other Linux distribution. It also utilizes a ports system ...
.
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 a
Brahmarshi
In Hinduism, a Brahmarshi (Sanskrit ', a tatpurusha compound of ' and ') is a member of the highest class of Rishis ("seers" or "sages"). A Brahmarshi is a sage who has attained enlightenment and became a Jivanmukta by completely understanding th ...
and become an equal of Vashista.
Harishchandra's sacrifice
While undertaking a penance, Kaushika helps a boy named
Shunashepa
Shunahshepa () is a legendary sage mentioned in Hindu mythology. A number of passages in ''Rigveda'' are attributed to him. He was adopted by the sage Vishvamitra, and given the new name Devarata. His name is also transliterated as Cunahcepa, Cu ...
who has been sold by his parents to be sacrificed at
Harishchandra
Harishchandra () is a legendary king of the Solar dynasty, who appears in several legends in texts such as the ''Aitareya Brahmana'', ''Mahabharata'', the ''Markandeya Purana'', and the ''Devi-Bhagavata Purana, Devi Bhagavata Purana''. The most ...
's
yagna
In Hinduism, ''Yajna'' or ''Yagna'' (, ɐd͡ʒɲə ) also known as Hawan, is a ritual done in front of a sacred fire, often with mantras. Yajna has been a Vedic tradition, described in a layer of Vedic literature called Brahmanas, as well a ...
to please
Varuna
Varuna (; , ) is a Hindu god. He is one of the earliest deities in pantheon, whose role underwent a significant transformation from the Vedic to the Puranic periods. In the early Vedic era, Varuna is seen as the god-sovereign, ruling the sky ...
. The king's son Rohit does not want to be the one sacrificed, as was originally promised to Varuna, so young
Sunashepa is taken. A devastated and terrified
Sunashepa falls at the feet of Kaushika, who is deep in meditation and begs for his help.
[Pargiter, F.E. (1972) ]922
__NOTOC__
Year 922 ( CMXXII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.
Events
By place
Byzantine Empire
* Summer – Battle of Constantinople: Emperor Romanos I sends Byzantine troops to repel another Bulgaria ...
''Ancient Indian Historical Tradition'', Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, p.92.
Kaushika teaches secret mantras to Sunashepa. The boy sings these mantras at the ceremony, is blessed by
Mitra
''Mitra'' (Proto-Indo-Iranian language, Proto-Indo-Iranian: wikt:Reconstruction:Proto-Indo-Iranian/mitrás, ''*mitrás'') is the name of an Indo-Iranians#Religion, Indo-Iranian divinity that predates the Rigveda, Rigvedic Mitra (Hindu god), Mitrá ...
and
Varuna
Varuna (; , ) is a Hindu god. He is one of the earliest deities in pantheon, whose role underwent a significant transformation from the Vedic to the Puranic periods. In the early Vedic era, Varuna is seen as the god-sovereign, ruling the sky ...
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 sage
Lopamudra
Lopamudra, also known as Kaveri, Kaushitaki and Varaprada, was a philosopher according to ancient Vedic Indian literature. She was the wife of the sage Agastya who is believed to have lived in the Rigveda period (1950 BC-1100 BC) as many hymns ...
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).
Teacher of Rama

In the
Hindu epic
Mahākāvya (lit. great kāvya, court epic), also known as ''sargabandha'', is a genre of Indian epic poetry in Classical Sanskrit. The genre is characterised by ornate and elaborate descriptions of phenomena such as scenery, love, and battles. Ty ...
''
Ramayana
The ''Ramayana'' (; ), also known as ''Valmiki Ramayana'', as traditionally attributed to Valmiki, is a smriti text (also described as a Sanskrit literature, Sanskrit Indian epic poetry, epic) from ancient India, one of the two important epics ...
'', Vishvamitra is the preceptor of
Rama
Rama (; , , ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the seventh and one of the most popular avatars of Vishnu. In Rama-centric Hindu traditions, he is considered the Supreme Being. Also considered as the ideal man (''maryāda' ...
and his brother
Lakshmana
Lakshmana (, ), also known as Laxmana, Lakhan, Saumitra, and Ramanuja, is the younger brother of Rama in the Hindu epic ''Ramayana''. He is considered as an incarnation of Shesha, the lord of serpents. Lakshmana was married to Urmila, and i ...
. Rama is prince of
Ayodhya
Ayodhya () is a city situated on the banks of the Sarayu river in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is the administrative headquarters of the Ayodhya district as well as the Ayodhya division of Uttar Pradesh, India. Ayodhya became th ...
, and the seventh
Avatar
Avatar (, ; ) is a concept within Hinduism that in Sanskrit literally means . It signifies the material appearance or incarnation of a powerful deity, or spirit on Earth. The relative verb to "alight, to make one's appearance" is sometimes u ...
of god
Vishnu
Vishnu (; , , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism, and the god of preservation ( ...
.
Vishvamitra gives them the knowledge of the ''Devastras'' or celestial weaponry
ala and ati bala trains them in advanced religion and guides them to kill powerful demons like
Tadaka,
Maricha
In the Hindu epic ''Ramayana'', Maricha, or Mareecha (Sanskrit: मारीच, IAST: ), is a rakshasha, who was killed by Rama, the hero of the epic and an avatar of Vishnu. He is mentioned as an ally of Ravana, the antagonist of the epic. Hi ...
and
Subahu
Subahu () was a rakshasa featured in the Hindu epic Ramayana.
Story
Subahu was the son of Shambara, a demon slayed by Indra. Subahu, Maricha and Maricha's mother, Tataka, took immense pleasure in harassing the munis of the jungle, especial ...
. He also leads them to the
Swayamvara
''Svayaṃvara'' ( ) is a matrimonial tradition in ancient Indian society where a bride, usually from '' Kṣatriya'' (warrior) caste, selects her husband from a group of assembled suitors either by her own choice or a public contest between her ...
ceremony for princess
Sita
Sita (; ), also known as Siya, Jānaki and Maithili, is a Hindu goddess and the female protagonist of the Hindu epic ''Ramayana''. Sita is the consort of Rama, the avatar of god Vishnu, and is regarded as an avatar of goddess Lakshmi. She is t ...
, who becomes wife of Rama.
Works
Vishvamitra is said to have written the
Gayatri Mantra
The Gāyatrī Mantra (), also known as the Sāvitrī Mantra (), is a sacred mantra from the ''Ṛig Veda'' ( Mandala 3.62.10), dedicated to the Vedic deity Savitr. The mantra is attributed to the rajarshi Vishvamitra.
The term Gāyatr ...
. It is a verse from a sukta of Rigveda (Mandala 3.62.10). Gāyatrī is the name of the
Vedic meter
Vedic metre refers to the poetic metre in the Vedic literature. The study of Vedic metre, along with post-Vedic metre, is part of Chandas, one of the six Vedanga disciplines.
Overview
In addition to these seven, there are fourteen less frequen ...
in which the verse is composed.
Gayatri mantra is repeated and cited very widely in Vedic literature and praised in several well-known classical Hindu texts such as
Manusmriti
The ''Manusmṛti'' (), also known as the ''Mānava-Dharmaśāstra'' or the Laws of Manu, is one of the many legal texts and constitutions among the many ' of Hinduism.
Over fifty manuscripts of the ''Manusmriti'' are now known, but the earli ...
("there is nothing greater than the ''Savitri (Gayatri) Mantra''.", Manu II, 83),
Harivamsa and
Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita (; ), often referred to as the Gita (), is a Hindu texts, Hindu scripture, dated to the second or first century BCE, which forms part of the Hindu epic, epic poem Mahabharata. The Gita is a synthesis of various strands of Ind ...
. The mantra is an important part of the
upanayana
''Upanayana'' () is a Hindu educational sacrament, one of the traditional saṃskāras or rites of passage that marked the acceptance of a student by a preceptor, such as a ''guru'' or ''acharya'', and an individual's initiation into a school in ...
ceremony for young males in
Hinduism
Hinduism () is an Hypernymy and hyponymy, umbrella term for a range of Indian religions, Indian List of religions and spiritual traditions#Indian religions, religious and spiritual traditions (Sampradaya, ''sampradaya''s) that are unified ...
and has long been recited by
dvija
Dvija (Sanskrit: द्विज) means "twice-born". The concept is premised on the belief that a person is first born physically and at a later date is born for a second time spiritually, usually when he undergoes the rite of passage that initiat ...
men as part of their daily rituals. Modern
Hindu reform movements
Contemporary groups, collectively termed Hindu reform movements, reform Hinduism, neo-Hinduism, or Hindu revivalism, strive to introduce regeneration and reform to Hinduism, both in a religious or spiritual and in a societal sense. The movement ...
spread the practice of the mantra to include women and all castes and its recitation is now widespread.
Descendants
Vishvamitra had many children from different women.
Madhuchhanda
Madhuchchhanda (), also known as Madhushchandas Vaishvamitra, is a sage mentioned in Hindu literature. A number of hymns in ''Rigveda'' are composed by him. He is one of the sons of the sage Vishvamitra. Madhuchchhanda is regarded to have had a ...
was also a composer of many hymns in the Rigveda.
According to the ''
Mahabharata
The ''Mahābhārata'' ( ; , , ) is one of the two major Sanskrit Indian epic poetry, epics of ancient India revered as Smriti texts in Hinduism, the other being the ''Ramayana, Rāmāyaṇa''. It narrates the events and aftermath of the Kuru ...
'',
Sushruta
Suśruta (, ) is the listed author of the '' Suśruta Saṃhiāa'' (''Suśruta's Compendium''), considered to be one of the most important surviving ancient treatises on medicine. It is also considered a foundational text of Ayurveda. The treat ...
, the father of plastic surgery, was one of his sons. Ashtaka, who was born from
Madhavi, was successor to his kingdom.
Shakuntala
Shakuntala () is a heroine in ancient Indian literature, best known for her portrayal in the ancient Sanskrit play '' Abhijnanashakuntalam'' (The Recognition of Shakuntala), written by the classical poet Kalidasa in the 4th or 5th century AD ...
was born from the damsel
Menaka
Menaka ( ) is a prominent figure in Hindu mythology, celebrated as one of the most beautiful apsaras (celestial nymphs) in the court of Indra, the king of the gods. She is frequently sent by the gods to disturb the penance of sages whose growin ...
. She was the mother of
Bharata, who became a powerful emperor as well as an ancestor of
Kuru kings.
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. The distinction can be found from the respective pravaras,
#Vishvamitra, Aghamarshana, Kaushika
#Vishvamitra, Devarata, Owdala
#Vishvamitra, Ashtaka
#Vishvamitra, Maadhucchandasa, Dhananjaya
Kaushika is one of the pravara gotras of Vishvamitra gotra among
Brahmins
Brahmin (; ) is a ''Varna (Hinduism), varna'' (theoretical social classes) within Hindu society. The other three varnas are the ''Kshatriya'' (rulers and warriors), ''Vaishya'' (traders, merchants, and farmers), and ''Shudra'' (labourers). Th ...
.
In popular culture
Literature
The story of the king Vishwamitra turning into a
Brahmarishi
In Hinduism, a Brahmarshi (Sanskrit ', a tatpurusha compound of ' and ') is a member of the highest class of Rishis ("seers" or "sages"). A Brahmarshi is a sage who has attained enlightenment and became a Jivanmukta by completely understanding th ...
has been the topic of a mytho-fiction book by Dr. Vineet Aggarwal.
Graphic Novel
Amar Chitra Katha
Amar Chitra Katha (ACK Comics) is an Indian comic book publisher, based in Mumbai, India. The company was founded in 1967 by Anant Pai. Most of its comics are based on religious legends and epics, historical figures and biographies, folktale ...
series number 599 titled Vishwamitra, published in 1975, also tells the story of Vishwamitra in the form of a graphic novel.
In film and television
* Vishvamitra is shown in the 1985
Tamil
Tamil may refer to:
People, culture and language
* Tamils, an ethno-linguistic group native to India, Sri Lanka, and some other parts of Asia
**Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka
** Myanmar or Burmese Tamils, Tamil people of Ind ...
movie ''
Raja Rishi
''Raja Rishi'' is a 1985 Indian Tamil-language Hindu mythological film written and directed by K. Shankar. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Prabhu, M. N. Nambiar and Nalini. It is based on the play ''Viswamithran'' by A. S. Prakasam, which is abo ...
'' with
Sivaji Ganesan
Villupuram. Chinnaiya Manrayar Ganesamoorthy (1 October 1928 – 21 July 2001), better known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan, was an Indian actor and film producer. He was mainly active in Tamil cinema during the latter half of the 20th centur ...
playing the role of the Sage.
* Vishvamitra's role is played by Shrikant Soni in the TV series Ramayan, 1987 and Uttar Ramayan, 1988 on Doordarshan.
* Vishvamitra is shown in 1991
Telugu
Telugu may refer to:
* Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of South India
** Telugu literature, is the body of works written in the Telugu language.
* Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India
* Telugu script, used to write the Tel ...
movie ''
Brahmarshi Vishvamitra'' with
N. T. Rama Rao
Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (28 May 1923 – 18 January 1996), often referred to by his initials NTR, was an Indian actor, film director, film producer, screenwriter, film editor, philanthropist, and politician who served as the Chief Minister o ...
playing the role of Sage.
* The TV show
''Vishvamitra'' (1989) is made on the story of Brahmarishi Vishvamitra. The role of Vishvamitra is played by
Mukesh Khanna
Mukesh Khanna (born 23 June 1958) is an Indian actor, producer, and talk show host known for his work in Hindi films and television. He is best known for portraying the titular superhero in the television series ''Shaktimaan'' (1997–2005), wh ...
.
* Vishvamitra's role is played by Ashok Banthia in the TV series Ramayan, 2008 on Imagine TV.
* Vishvamitra is shown in the show ''
Siya Ke Ram
''Siya Ke Ram'' ( ''Sita's Ram'') is an Indian television series on Star Plus produced by Nikhil Sinha under the banner of Triangle Film Company. This show presents the epic ''Ramayana'', the story of Sita and Rama from Sita's perspective. The s ...
'' airing on
Star Plus
StarPlus is an Indian Hindi-language general entertainment pay television channel owned by JioStar, a joint venture between Viacom18 and Disney India. Its programming consists of family dramas, romantic comedies, youth-oriented reali ...
, starring
Manish Wadhwa
Manish Wadhwa (born 1972) is an Indian actor and voice actor. He is best known for his roles Chanakya in ''Chandragupta Maurya'', Balaji Vishwanath Bhatt in ''Peshwa Bajirao'', Kans in '' Paramavatar Shri Krishna'', Amal Nanda/Dansh in '' ...
.
*The TV show ''Piya Albela'' is also based on the classic love story of Menaka and Vishvamitra, depicted as a modern-day love story revolving around Naren and Pooja.
*Vishvamitra also appears in
Shani (TV series)
Karmaphal Daata Shani () is an Television in India, Indian dharmic devotional television series, which aired from 7 November 2016 to 9 March 2018 on Colors TV. The series was produced by Swastik Productions of Siddharth Kumar Tewary.
Plot
The ...
See also
*
Vishwaguru
Vishvaguru () or Vishwaguru is a Sanskrit phrase and idea which translates to world or global teacher, world guru, tutors of the world, world leader, or teacher to the world or universe.
Translation
() consists of two words: () and ().
...
*
Hinduism
Hinduism () is an Hypernymy and hyponymy, umbrella term for a range of Indian religions, Indian List of religions and spiritual traditions#Indian religions, religious and spiritual traditions (Sampradaya, ''sampradaya''s) that are unified ...
*
Hindu mythology
Hindu mythology refers to the collection of myths associated with Hinduism, derived from various Hindu texts and traditions. These myths are found in sacred texts such as the Vedas, the Itihasas (the ''Mahabharata'' and the ''Ramayan ...
References
.
{{Authority control
Brahmin gotras
Rishis
Sages in the Ramayana
Saptarishi