Vasishta

Vasishta, Arundhati, Kamadhenu

Maharishi Vasishta is one of the most revered rishis. Vasishta is one of the manasa-putras of Chaturmukha Bramha and one of the seven sages known as the Sapta Rishis. He is the husband of Arundhati*, renowned for her chastity. He features across yugas, as there are various stories regarding his two rebirths (as Vasishta himself). Some theories state that “Vasishta” is not a person but a post. There are a total of 12 Vasishtas mentioned in the puranas.

Arundhati finds mention in the Raamayana as she is supposed to have met Raama and Sita. The mother of a hundred sons cursed to die at the hands of Vishwamitra, she is said to have had two more sons who studied along with the royal princes of Ayodhya.

*The binary star Alcor is identified as Arundhati and Vasishta. Arundhati Nakshatra darshana (sighting the Arundhati star) by newly married couples is a symbolic ritual to ensure a strong and successful marriage.

Vasishta and Vishwamitra

A popular tale that describes the rivalry between Vasishta and Vishwamitra sprang from Vishwamitra’s desire to possess Vasishta’s wish fulfilling cow, Kaamadhenu.* Vishwamitra, then a king called Kaushika, knew only of physical prowess and attempted to capture Kaamadhenu by force. But, Vasishta quelled the attack by his spiritual powers.

*The names Surabhi, Nandini and Kamadhenu have been interchangeably used in different accounts

Vishwamitra, then sought to acquire spiritual powers, and performed penance to Lord Shiva. Armed with divine weapons, he wrecked Vasishta’s hermitage and killed his hundred sons, but Vasishta absorbed the total force of his weapons by his Bramhadanda (the staff that ascetics carry). And forgave Vishwamitra, at the behest of Bramha and other Gods. A chastened Vishwamitra went on to perform severe penance to match the spiritual powers of Vasishta.

The rivalry finally dissolved when Vishwamitra gave up the desire to be recognised by Vasishta as a Bramharishi. Vasishta then declared that Vishwamitra had indeed become a true Bramharishi!

Both the sages find mention in the Raamayana. Vasishta was the spiritual preceptor, priest and advisor of the Ikshvaaku dynasty. It was under his advice that Dasharatha performed the Putrakaameshti Yagna in order to obtain a son.

Vasishta named each of the four princes, when they were born. When Dasharatha hesitated to send a young Raama with Vishwamitra to the forests to subdue the demons, it was Vasishta who advised the king to honour his word and send Raama and Lakshmana with Vishwamitra.

When Sita was struggling to don the barks before heading to the forest, Vasishta intervened and saw to it that Sita continued to wear her jewellery and her silken clothes (unlike Raama and Lakshmana who were dressed in barks and beads). Vasishta also declared that Sita should rule Ayodhya in place of the exiled Raama and thwart Kaikeyi’s plan. Of course, Sita refused to do so and went to the forests with Raama.

Vasishta consoled the distraught Bharatha, when Dasharatha passed away. And he also oversaw Rama’s coronation post his return to Ayodhya, and the Ashwamedha yagna performed later.

Vishwamitra trained Raama and Lakshmana for the future war to be fought against Raavana, through the exercise of slaying demons who were hindering the performance of austerities by various sages. He also accompanied Raama to king Janaka’s palace, enabling Raama to redeem Ahalya on the way. At Janaka’s palace, Raama won the hand of Sita, and all the four princes wed Sita and her sisters.

Yoga Vasishta

Among the various scriptures composed by Vasishta, the best known is Yoga Vasisht, consisting of 32000 verses, which among other names is also called Vasisht-Raamayana. It is a compilation of the principles taught by Vasishta to a young Raama.

The most important concept found in this scripture says that moksha (salvation) is nothing but peace of mind! He says there are four essential paths that lead to this. They are, Kshama (forgiveness), Vichaara (deliberation), Santosha (joy) and Satsang (noble company).