Rishyashringa
Baala Kaanda
The offspring of a sage and a doe
Rishyashringa was the son of sage Vibhandaka, son of Kashyapa*, and a cursed apsara** who was in the form of a doe.
*one of the Sapta Rishis (seven holy sages), considered as the father of devas (suras) and asuras, and many others like Vaamana
**heavenly nymph,
Strange tales abound about the birth of Rishyashringa, so named because he was born with a protuberance on his head, like the antler of a deer.
On numerous occasions, Indra the king of devas and ruler of Indraloka (Swarga)feels threatened, as anyone who performs severe austerities becomes a contender for his throne.
Indra, more often than not, uses the same trick to distract the person in question. He sends the beauteous Urvashi or Rambha (or other apsaras) to lead them astray.
Thus, Vibhandaka upon seeing the beautiful Urvashi while in a river, became aroused and the semen that was ejaculated became mixed with the waters of the river. This was swallowed by a doe (the cursed apsara) at the river bank. It is said that the sage, due to his yogic powers, was capable of impregnating a female without resorting to intercourse. Thus the doe became pregnant with a human child!
Since the doe was released from its curse following the birth of Rishyashringa, assuming the form of an apsara she is said to have left for her heavenly abode. Vibhandaka thus bore the sole charge of bringing up the child.
The man who knew no women
Vibhandaka, upset that he had succumbed to the beauty of Urvashi brought up the child in a severe environment, not exposing him to any man or woman. Thus brought up in isolation, Rishyashringa performed austerities with unparalleled chastity*, and became a power to be reckoned with.
*Attainment of yogic powers is in direct proportion to the level of abstinence (for non-householders).
When the kingdom of Anga was reeling under famine, the king Romapaada, a friend of Dasharatha’s, was told that the rain gods would bless his land if a pure minded sage set foot in the kingdom. The king sent a few women in Vibhandaka’s absence, to Rishyashringa. The ascetic, at first, did not know that the women were different from him, but once he did, he became aware of sensations and feelings he hadn’t hitherto experienced. He craved for their company and thus they lured him to the kingdom of Anga. And as predicted, the moment his foot touched the ground, clouds burst over the parched land.
Raama’s birth
Romapada and Dasharatha, who were childhood friends, are said to have been married to Vershini and Kausalya respectively. Vershini was Kausalya’s sister. Many accounts speak of Shantha, the daughter of Dasharatha, the elder sister of Raama, who was given in adoption to the childless Romapada and Vershini.
Rishyashringa is said to have married Shantha, who went on to live the life of an ascetic with her husband. Some accounts mention that Rishyashringa married Shantha, lived in the kingdom of Anga and after begetting a son (and giving him up to the king), returned to the forest to continue his penance, along with his wife.
When Dasharatha wished to perform the putrakaameshti yagna to beget sons, it was Rishyashringa who officiated the yagna* and helped Dasharatha attain his desire. And thereby became instrumental in the births of Raama, Lakshmana, Shatrughna and Bharatha.