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Vishvamitra was a great sage known for his austerity and mystic power. He was the son of Gadhi, a powerful king of the province of Kanyakubja (part of Uttar Pradesh), therefore also known as Gadhi-suta. Although he was a kshatriya by birth, he became a brahmana in the very same body by the power of his spiritual achievements.  

Maharshi Vishvamitra (Samskrit: महर्षिः विश्वामित्रः) was a great seer known from the Rigvedic times. He is the seer who gave the Gayatri Mantra to the world. Out of the innumerable number of sages that Bharatavarsha has ever produced, there are a few who appear so towering in spiritual attainments, known for his perseverance, austerity and mystic powers. He was also one of those who tried to stop the Kuruksetra war. Vishvamitra was also known for his excellence in [[Dhanurveda (धनुर्वेदः)|Dhanurveda]], wielding all types of weapons.

He was also one of those who tried to stop the Kuruksetra war.

 

A child in the Sanatana Dharma, undergoes the sacred [[Upanayana (उपनयनम्)|Upanayana]] samskara, to becomes a Dvija and initiated into the sublime and powerful Savitr mantra or Gayatri mantra after the famous Gayatri chandas or metre it is composed in. This Veda mantra has been passed down in the Indian traditions for thousands of years. The rishi in whose mind this mantra was first revealed was Vishvamitra. The Savitr mantra's purifying and obstacle destroying potential has been tasted by millions of adherents through a hoary religious tradition. He was a Maharaja, who ruled the lands and then became a Rajarshi, a royal sage, subsequently, a Brahmarshi or the best among sages. He appears in all ancient texts spanning from the Vedas to Itihasas and Puranas. His prowess was on par with that of Vasishta.<ref name=":3">Swami Sathyamayananda. (2012) ''Ancient sages''. Kolkata: Advaita Ashrama</ref>

 

He was the son of Gadhi (गाधिः), a powerful king of the province of Kanyakubja (Kannauj of Uttar Pradesh), therefore known as Gadhisuta. As a maharaja, he ruled his subjects wisely. Although he was a kshatriya by birth, he became a brahmana in the very same body by the power of his adhyatmik achievements. <ref name=":7">https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vishvamitra</ref>

 

 

 

 

 

The son of Visvamitra was Sunahshephas, the descendant of Bhrigu, given by the deities, and thence named Devarata. Visvamitra had other sons also, amongst whom the most celebrated were Madhuchhandas, Kritajaya, Devadeva, Aṣṭaka, Kachchapa, and Haarita; these founded many families, all of whom were known by the name of Kaushikas, and intermarried with the families of various Ṛṣis.<ref name=":7" />

 

 

The Rigveda, the oldest texts ever known to mankind, mentions this great rishi Vishvamitra (and his disciples) as the seer of the third Mandala. It is said that when some sages made Vishvamitra break a vow of silence, these eternal mantras were revealed by him.<ref name=":3" />

== Conflict with Vasishta ==

== Conflict with Vasishta ==

Vishvamitra was defeated by the spiritual strength of Vasistha, and thus the king decided to become a brahmana, but Vasistha would not agree to accept him as a brahmana. In this way there was always disagreement between the two. Later, however, Vasistha accepted him because of Vishvamitra's quality of forgiveness.

Once Visvamitra was on a hunting expedition, he and his army were sumptuously entertained by Vasishta. Wondering how a hermit could procure so much delicious food at such short notice, he discovered the great sage Vasishta's wish-fulfilling cow, the Kamadhenu, which tried to take away forcibly but could not succeed. Vishvamitra and his soldiers were defeated by the adhyatmik strength of Vasishta and Kamadhenu. He realized that physical power was no match for the spiritual power, he decided to become a brahmana by practicing meditation and penances. In this way there was always disagreement between the two of them. Then Vishvamitra went to the Himalayas and devoted himself to the most rigorous austerities to gain spiritual parity with his rival sage Vasishta and got the titles Rajarṣi, Ṛṣi, Maharṣi and Brahmarṣi. Finally, a reconciliation was brought about and was acknowledged by Vasishta who paid him homage.

=== Kamdhenu ===

=== Kamdhenu ===

In the scriptures there is mention of äpad-dharma, or occupational duty at times of extraordinary happenings. It is said that the great sage Vishvamitra went to a candala’s house to eat the leg of a dog in a extraordinary dangerous situation (during a drought which lasted 12 years). Candala told to Visvamitra muni that even if you lose your life, do not give up your culture. Visvamitra muni convinced him by saying that I can digest the flesh and the karma (sinful reaction) also. However, at that time Indra showered the rain from above.

In the scriptures there is mention of äpad-dharma, or occupational duty at times of extraordinary happenings. It is said that the great sage Vishvamitra went to a candala’s house to eat the leg of a dog in a extraordinary dangerous situation (during a drought which lasted 12 years). Candala told to Visvamitra muni that even if you lose your life, do not give up your culture. Visvamitra muni convinced him by saying that I can digest the flesh and the karma (sinful reaction) also. However, at that time Indra showered the rain from above.

The principle is that in cases of emergency, one may be allowed to live on the flesh of animals of all description, but there was never a time in vedic age when there was encouragement by the state for maintenance of regular slaughterhouses, where numerous animals are murdered wholesale and mercilessly.<ref name=":5"> A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ''[https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/1/17/16 (Bhagavata Purana)]'' The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Commentary on Srimad Bhagavatam 1.17.16</ref>

The principle is that in cases of emergency, one may be allowed to live on the flesh of animals of all description, but there was never a time in vedic age when there was encouragement by the state for maintenance of regular slaughterhouses, where numerous animals are murdered wholesale and mercilessly.<ref name=":6"> A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ''[https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/1/17/16 (Bhagavata Purana)]'' The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Commentary on Srimad Bhagavatam 1.17.16</ref>

=== Exceptions are not general rule ===

=== Exceptions are not general rule ===

It is far better to discharge one's prescribed duties, even though faultily, than another's duties perfectly. Destruction in the course of performing one's own duty is better than engaging in another's duties, for to follow another's path is dangerous. <ref name=":4"> Bhagavad Gita 3.35 ''[https://www.vedabase.com/en/bg/3/35 Bhaktivedanta Vedabase]''</ref>

It is far better to discharge one's prescribed duties, even though faultily, than another's duties perfectly. Destruction in the course of performing one's own duty is better than engaging in another's duties, for to follow another's path is dangerous. <ref name=":4"> Bhagavad Gita 3.35 ''[https://www.vedabase.com/en/bg/3/35 Bhaktivedanta Vedabase]''</ref>

 

== References ==  

|name      = Ramayana

|title      = ''[[Ramayana]]'' by [[Valmiki]]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

== Citations ==  

[[Category:Rishis]]

[[Category:Rishis]]