Changes

== Lineage ==

== Lineage ==

There was a king named Kusha, a son of Prajaapati, and Kusha's son was the powerful and verily righteous Kushanaabha. One who is highly renowned by the name Gaadhi was the son of Kushanaabha, and Gadhi's son is this great-sage of great resplendence, Vishvamitra.

There was a king named Kusha, a son of Prajaapati, and Kusha's son was the powerful and verily righteous Kushanaabha. One who is highly renowned by the name Gaadhi was the son of Kushanaabha, and Gadhi's son is this great-sage of great resplendence, Vishvamitra.<blockquote>प्रजापतिसुतस्त्वासीत् कुशो नाम महीपतिः | कुशस्य पुत्रो बलवान् कुशनाभः सुधार्मिकः || १-५१-१८

प्रजापतिसुतस्त्वासीत् कुशो नाम महीपतिः | कुशस्य पुत्रो बलवान् कुशनाभः सुधार्मिकः || १-५१-१८

कुशनाभसुतस्त्वासीद्गाधिरित्येव विश्रुतः | गाधेः पुत्रो महातेजा विश्वामित्रो महामुनिः || १-५१-१९ (Valm. Rama. Balakanda,  51.18-19)

कुशनाभसुतस्त्वासीद्गाधिरित्येव विश्रुतः | गाधेः पुत्रो महातेजा विश्वामित्रो महामुनिः || १-५१-१९ (Valm. Rama. Balakanda,  51.18-19)

prajāpatisutastvāsīt kuśo nāma mahīpatiḥ | kuśasya putro balavān kuśanābhaḥ sudhārmikaḥ || 1-51-18

 

kuśanābhasutastvāsīdgādhirityeva viśrutaḥ | gādheḥ putro mahātejā viśvāmitro mahāmuniḥ || 1-51-19</blockquote>

Puranic Encyclopedia lists the genealogy as follows<ref>Mani, V. (1975). ''Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature.'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass Pvt. Ltd. (pp.872-876 )</ref><blockquote>Brahma — Atri — Candra — Budha — Pururavas — Vijaya — Hotraka — Jahnu — Puru — Balaka — Ajaka — Kusa — Kusanabha — Gadhi — Visvamitra</blockquote>As Vishvamitra was born in the family of the famous king Kusa, Visvamitra got the name Kaushika.   

Puranic Encyclopedia lists the genealogy as follows<ref>Mani, V. (1975). ''Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature.'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass Pvt. Ltd. (pp.872-876 )</ref><blockquote>Brahma — Atri — Candra — Budha — Pururavas — Vijaya — Hotraka — Jahnu — Puru — Balaka — Ajaka — Kusa — Kusanabha — Gadhi — Visvamitra</blockquote>As Vishvamitra was born in the family of the famous king Kusa, Visvamitra got the name Kaushika.   

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" />  

=== Sons of Vishvamitra ===

Visvamitra had 101 sons, of whom the middle one was known as Madhucchanda. Fifty were older than Madhucchanda and fifty younger. In relation to him, all the other sons were celebrated as the Madhucchandas. Visvamitra accepted the son of Ajigarta known as Sunahsepha, who was born in the Bhrgu dynasty and was also known as Devarata, as one of his own sons. When requested by their father to accept Sunahsepha as the eldest son, the elder fifty of the Madhucchandas, the sons of Visvamitra, did not agree. Therefore Visvamitra, being angry, cursed them. "May all of you bad sons become mlecchas," he said, "being opposed to the principles of Vedic culture. Thus the younger Madhucchandas accepted Sunahsepha as their eldest brother and told him, "We shall follow your orders." Visvamitra then said to his obedient sons, "Because you have accepted Sunahsepha as your eldest brother, I am very satisfied. By accepting my order, you have made me a father of worthy sons, and therefore I bless all of you to become the fathers of sons also." Visvamitra cursed some of his sons and blessed the others, and he also adopted a son. Thus there were varieties in the Kausika dynasty, but among all the sons, Devarata was considered the eldest.<ref name=":2"> Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 9 Chapter 16 ''[https://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/9/16/29 Madhucchandas]'' The sons of vishvamitra</ref>

 

 

 

After some time, four sons, Havishyanda, Madhushyanda, Drudhanetra and Maharatha, where practicing truth and dharma where born to him.<ref name=":8" /></blockquote>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" />  

== Vishvamitra in the Vedas ==

== Vishvamitra in the Vedas ==

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" />

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" />

== Vasishta and Vishvamitra ==

== वसिष्ठविश्वामित्रश्च ॥ Vasishta and Vishvamitra ==

Once Visvamitra, a kshatriya was on a hunting expedition, when he and his army were sumptuously entertained by Maharshi [[Vasishta (वसिष्ठः)|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 a 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.<ref name=":3" />

Once Visvamitra, a kshatriya was on a hunting expedition, when he and his army were sumptuously entertained by Maharshi [[Vasishta (वसिष्ठः)|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 Sabala (similar to Kamadhenu), which tried to take away forcibly but could not succeed. Vishvamitra and his soldiers were defeated by the adhyatmik strength of Vasishta and Sabala. 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 a 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.<ref name=":3" />

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

saha sarvaissuragaṇairidaṁ vacanamabravīt| triśaṅkō gaccha bhūyastvaṁ nāsi svargakr̥tālaya:||1.60.17||

When Vishvamitra visited the hermitage of Vasistha, he was given a royal reception. The king was surprised how can a mendicant be so opulent. He came to know that there is a cow named Nandini , who is protecting herself and others, and providing for all the necessities of the sage. Vishvamitra said give me this cow as I am the king, but Vasistha refused to deliver it. The sage said this cow represents all our piety, prosperity, tapasya and its milk is offered to the deities and pitrs in the daily yajnas, hence you cannot take her away. The king insisted that such noble and superior things in the country belonged to the king and are to be used for the benefit of the people. He offered to give a crore cows in exchange for Kamadhenu. When Vasishta refused, he forcefully tried to take the cow away, and thus there was a quarrel between the Vasishta and the King. Vasistha engaged in a battle with astras and eventually told to the cow, "I am not capable of protecting you, please protect yourself." Many soldiers became manifest out of her, and fought off Visvamitra’s soldiers. Vishvamitra further attacked Vasishta who defended himself by using his ''brahmadanda''. Enraged with his own powerlessness in front of Vasishta, frustrated he uttered - ''dhik balam ksatriyam balam'' or fie the power of a kshatriya. Realizing the power of penance he went back to his kingdom and handed over the administration to his relatives and went to the south to perform severe penance. From there he was constantly engrossed in tapas or severe austerity. (Valm. Rama. Bala Kanda. Sargas 51-56)

गुरुशापहतो मूढ पत भूमिमवाक्छिरा:।

The next confrontation between the two seers was due to the king Trisanku of the Ikshvaku (Solar) dynasty.  Satyavrata was the son of Trayyaruna, the Ikshvaku king. But he earned the name Trishanku when Vasishta  cursed him thus "You will from today become a candala. Three sankus (sins) namely wrath of a father, abduction of another man's wife and consumption of cow's flesh will give you life-long trouble and thus you will earn a name, Trisanku (Three Sankus). Instantly Satyavrata became a candala and started roaming about the streets. Later after being crowned ruled the country piously. Soon Trishanku desired to bodily attain ''svarga'' or heaven. Vasistha, as the Guru of the dynasty tried to discourage the king. Disappointed he approached the sons of Vasistha who ridiculed him when he told them of his queer desire. Trisanku became angry and left them saying "Let me see whether there are others in this country who could send me bodily to the heaven." Those arrogant words annoyed Vasistha and his sons and they cursed him and made him a candala again. But Visvamitra took up the matter when Vasishta refused to help the king. Visvamitra began to perform a yajna to lift up the king bodily to svarga, and Trisanku began to rise up higher and higher. But Indra did not allow him to enter bodily into the svarga loka. At last Visvamitra, by the power of his penance created an artificial heaven midway between the heaven and the earth and placed Trishanku in that new place calling it '''''Trisanku svarga'''''. (Sargas 57 to 59, Balakanda, Valmiki Ramayana, 7th Skandha, Devi Bhagavata; 9th Skandha, Bhagavata; Chapter 13, Harivamsa; Sundara Kanda, Kamba Ramayana; Chapter 71, Adi Parva; Chapter 12, Sabha Parva)<ref>Mani, V. (1975). ''Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature.'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass Pvt. Ltd. (pp.793-794)</ref><ref name=":1"> Srimad Bhagavatam canto 9 [7.5-6] ''[https://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/9/7/5-6 The descendants of Mandhata]''</ref>

=== Harishcandra ===

Once Harishcandra performed a yajna for which Visvamitra was the priest, but Visvamitra, being angry at Harishcandra, took away all his possessions, claiming them as a contribution of daksina. Vasistha, however, did not like this, and therefore a fight arose between Vasistha and Visvamitra. The fighting became so severe that each of them cursed the other. One of them said, "May you become a bird," and the other said, "May you become a duck." Thus both of them became birds and continued fighting for many years because of Harishcandra. <ref name=":0"> Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 9, chapter 7 verse 7 ''[https://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/9/7/7 Harishcandra]''</ref>

 

On ascending to heaven Trisanku saw Indra (destroyer of Paka) along with hosts of gods. Indra said to him: "O Trisanku you are not fit to inhabit heaven. Go back, you fool Doomed by the curse of your spiritual preceptor, fall on earth, head down".</blockquote>At last Visvamitra, by the power of his penance created an artificial heaven midway between the heaven and the earth and placed Trishanku in that new place in the zodiac, the '''''Trisanku svarga'''''. (Sargas 57 to 59, Balakanda, Valmiki Ramayana, 7th Skandha, Devi Bhagavata; 9th Skandha, Bhagavata; Chapter 13, Harivamsa; Sundara Kanda, Kamba Ramayana; Chapter 71, Adi Parva; Chapter 12, Sabha Parva)<ref>Mani, V. (1975). ''Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature.'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass Pvt. Ltd. (pp.793-794)</ref><ref name=":1"> Srimad Bhagavatam canto 9 [7.5-6] ''[https://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/9/7/5-6 The descendants of Mandhata]''</ref> Thereafter, Viswamitra reached Pushkara in the western region where living on fruits and roots, he carried out intense, unsurpassable, austerities.<ref name=":9" />

 

=== शुन:शेफ: ॥ Sunasshepha ===

The legend of Sunasshepha has a few versions, here the version given in Ramayana is being presented. At this time Ambarisha, a well known king of Ayodhya, launched preparations for a yajna. While he was performing the sacrifice Indra stole away the yajnapashu or the animal to be offered in the yajna. The priest immediately asked Ambarisha to bring a beast or man for fulfilling the yajna. Ambarisha saw rishi Richika in the Bhrigutunda mountain sitting with his sons and wife. He offered to sell his son for the yajna in exchange for a hundred thousand cows. Richika immediately refused to part with his eldest son, while his wife refused to give him the youngest son, their middle son Sunasshepha hearing their words offered himself to Ambarisha. (Valm. Rama. 1.61.21). On the way back, Ambarisha rested at Pushkara teertha, while Sunasshepha, very much distressed, happened to see his maternal uncle Viswamitra in the company of other sages performing austerities there. Pitying him, Vishvamitra asked one of his own sons to take the place of Sunasshepha to become the yajnapashu. Madhuchanda and other son's of Vishvamitra said that protecting other's son by abandoning one's own is like partaking the flesh of a dog, hence not a good act. Hearing their words, enraged Vishvamitra curses his own children to live on earth feeding on the flesh of the dogs. Then Vishvamitra gives two mantras to Sunasshepha, to be chanted in Ambarisha's yajna, when he is tied to the yupa (यूपम्) or post, to propitiate Indra. <blockquote>सबद्धो वाग्भिरग्य्राभिरभितुष्टाव वै सुरौ। इन्द्रमिन्द्रानुजं चैव यथावन्मुनिपुत्रक:।।1.62.25।।

 

 

Thus bound, the son of the sage praised the two devatas, Indra and Upendra with moving words.<ref name=":12">Valmiki Ramayana ([https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=1&language=dv&field_sarga_value=62 Bala Kanda, Sarga 62])</ref></blockquote>In due time, Sunasshepha chants the mantras during the yajna and wins the favour of Indra and Upendra, who grant him a long life and rewarded Ambarisha with the fruits of the yajna.<ref name=":12" />

 

=== मेनका रम्भा च ॥ Menaka and Rambha ===

Vishvamitra continued his austerities further at Pushkara tirtha, when Menaka, the apsara, visited the tirtha. Even in the stage of rishihood, Vishvamitra became a victim of the senses and under infatuation cohabited with the heavenly dancer Menaka. The mind, although ceasing to think of sensual activities at present, remembers past sensual activities from the subconscious status and thus disturbs one from self-realization. While with her he fathered a child who is universally celebrated as Sakuntala. As the happy period passed, Visvamitra the mighty ascetic was filled with grief, anxiety and remorse for being deviated from his austerities. Soon Menaka left him and Visvamitra took a vow of celibacy in order to control his senses. And performed rigid austerities on reaching the bank of river Kausiki. He was performing rigorous tapas on the northern mountains, when Brahma, the celestial deities and other sages conferred the eminent rank of Maharshi to Vishvamitra, but Brahma declared that he had not conquered his senses yet.<ref>Valmiki Ramayana ([https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=1&language=dv&field_sarga_value=63 Bala Kanda, Sarga 63])</ref>

 

Visvamitra performs intense austerities by subsisting on air, amidst the five fires (पञ्चतपा:)  in summer, under the open sky in monsoon, and immersed in water night and day in winter. Seeing his mighty resolve, the devatas were perturbed and send Rambha, another apsara to disturb his penance. Though she feared Vishvamitra's wrath, Rambha was ordered by Indra to approach Vishvamitra and captivate him with her beauty. Visvamitra noticing the seasonal change and the arrival of Rambha, realized that it was the work of Indra, but instead he was seized with anger and cursed her to become a rock and remain so for ten thousand years.<blockquote>यन्मां लोभयसे रम्भे कामक्रोधजयैषिणम्। दशवर्षसहस्राणि शैली स्थास्यसि दुर्भगे ।।1.64.12।।

 

yanmāṁ lōbhayasē rambhē kāmakrōdhajayaiṣiṇam| daśavarṣasahasrāṇi śailī sthāsyasi durbhagē ||1.64.12||<ref name=":13">Valmiki Ramayana ([https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=1&language=dv&field_sarga_value=64 Bala Kanda, Sarga 64])</ref></blockquote>Visvamitra, the great ascetic, now experienced remorse for his inability to contain anger. He had no peace of mind for his inability to control his senses. Having been deprived of his ascetic merit, he resolved not to lose his temper nor ever breathe a word.

 

 

न हि मे तप्यमानस्य क्षयं यास्यन्ति मूर्तय:। (Val. Rama. 1.64.19)<ref name=":13" />

 

 

 

Until brahminhood is obtained by my austerities, I shall stay without breathing or eating for innumerable years. While performing penance, my limbs shall not undergo deterioration. </blockquote>Abandoning the north of the Himavat mountain, Vishvamitra reached the eastern quarter and performed rigorous austerities along with a unique vow of silence. After completion of a thousand years the great ascetic became a piece of wood. In spite of many impediments, he was unshaken, anger did not enter into his mind. After the vow, Vishvamitra, began to partake cooked rice. At that moment Indra assumed the guise of brahmin and asked him for the rice. Visvamitra went without food but did not utter a single word to the brahmin. Thereafter the distinguished ascetic practiced austerities for another period of thousand years, his breath suspended. For his intense penance, the heat emanated threatening to engulf all the worlds. Thereafter, with Brahma in the forefront, the gods spoke to Viswamitra in pleasing words:<blockquote>ब्रह्मर्षे स्वागतं तेऽस्तु तपसा स्म सुतोषिता:। ब्राह्मण्यं तपसोग्रेण प्राप्तवानसि कौशिक ।।1.65.19।।

brahmarṣē svāgataṁ tē’stu tapasā sma sutōṣitā:| brāhmaṇyaṁ tapasōgrēṇa prāptavānasi kauśika ||1.65.19||

The great mystic Vishvamitra Muni, even in the stage of samadhi, became a victim of the senses and cohabited with the heavenly damsel Menaka. The mind, although ceasing to think of sensual activities at present, remembers past sensual activities from the subconscious status and thus disturbs one from cent percent engagement in self-realization.

His meditation was broken when he heard the tinkling of bangles on the hands of Menaka. He fathered a child who is universally celebrated as Sakuntala, the beauty queen of world history.  

"Welcome, O Brahmarshi. We are immensely pleased with your austerities. O Kausika you have attained brahminhood by means of your intense penance.</blockquote>Vishvamitra then requests that Vasishta should address him as Brahmarshi. Thereupon, pleased by the gods, Vasishta, the best among ascetics, lovingly said to Viswamitra "You are a Brahmarshi, let it be so".

With all the enmity forgotten, virtuous Viswamitra also, having attained excellent brahminhood, worshipped Brahmarshi Vasishta who was the best of those who recite prayers.<ref>Valmiki Ramayana ([https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=1&language=dv&field_sarga_value=65 Bala Kanda, Sarga 65])</ref>

Visvamitra had 101 sons, of whom the middle one was known as Madhucchanda. Fifty were older than Madhucchanda and fifty younger. In relation to him, all the other sons were celebrated as the Madhucchandas. Visvamitra accepted the son of Ajigarta known as Sunahsepha, who was born in the Bhrgu dynasty and was also known as Devarata, as one of his own sons. When requested by their father to accept Sunahsepha as the eldest son, the elder fifty of the Madhucchandas, the sons of Visvamitra, did not agree. Therefore Visvamitra, being angry, cursed them. "May all of you bad sons become mlecchas," he said, "being opposed to the principles of Vedic culture. Thus the younger Madhucchandas accepted Sunahsepha as their eldest brother and told him, "We shall follow your orders." Visvamitra then said to his obedient sons, "Because you have accepted Sunahsepha as your eldest brother, I am very satisfied. By accepting my order, you have made me a father of worthy sons, and therefore I bless all of you to become the fathers of sons also." Visvamitra cursed some of his sons and blessed the others, and he also adopted a son. Thus there were varieties in the Kausika dynasty, but among all the sons, Devarata was considered the eldest.<ref name=":2"> Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 9 Chapter 16 ''[https://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/9/16/29 Madhucchandas]'' The sons of vishvamitra</ref>

== Kausalya Supraja Rama ==

=== Harishcandra ===

This verse is originated from balakaanda of Sri Ramayan, where Vishwamitra wakes up Sri Ram in the morning citing these words. Some acaryas regard this verse as good as the Gayatri mantra.

Once Harishcandra performed a yajna for which Visvamitra was the priest, but Visvamitra, being angry at Harishcandra, took away all his possessions, claiming them as a contribution of daksina. Vasistha, however, did not like this, and therefore a fight arose between Vasistha and Visvamitra. The fighting became so severe that each of them cursed the other. One of them said, "May you become a bird," and the other said, "May you become a duck." Thus both of them became birds and continued fighting for many years because of Harishcandra. <ref name=":0"> Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 9, chapter 7 verse 7 ''[https://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/9/7/7 Harishcandra]''</ref>

These are the opening words of the Sri Venkateswara Supbratham to awaken Lord Venkateswara (Balaji). This is the first sloka rhymed while the temple doors are opened everyday morning for the first time  at Tirumala. The stanza starts as:

This verse is originated from Balakanda of Sri Ramayana, where Vishwamitra wakes up SriRam in the morning citing these words. Some acaryas regard this verse as good as the Gayatri mantra. These are the opening words of the Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatam to awaken Venkateswara (Balaji). This is the first sloka rhymed while the temple doors are opened everyday morning for awakening ceremony at Tirumala. <blockquote>कौसल्या सुप्रजा राम पूर्वा संध्या प्रवर्तते | उत्तिष्ठ नर शार्दूल कर्तव्यम् दैवमाह्निकम् || (Valm. Rama. 1.23.2) <ref name=":5">  ''[http://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/baala/sarga23/bala_23_frame.htm valmikiramayan.net]''</ref>

कौसल्या सुप्रजा राम पूर्वा संध्या प्रवर्तते |

kausalyā suprajā rāma pūrvā saṁdhyā pravartatē | uttiṣṭha nara śārdūla kartavyam daivamāhnikam ||

उत्तिष्ठ नर शार्दूल कर्तव्यम् दैवमाह्निकम् || 1-23-2 <ref name=":5">  ''[http://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/baala/sarga23/bala_23_frame.htm valmikiramayan.net]''</ref>

Fortunate is Kausalya to beget you as her son Rama; get up oh, tigerly-man, eastern aurora is emerging, daytime tasks towards gods are to be performed.

"O beloved son of Kausalya, O Rama the day dawns. O best among men, awake, oblations to gods and other sacred rites are required to be performed".</blockquote>

== Scriptural learnings ==

== Scriptural learnings ==