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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>

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>

=== Harishcandra ===

== विश्वामित्रः रामस्य गुरुः॥ Vishvamitra, Sri Rama's Guru ==

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>

Visvamitra once initiated a yajna for the welfare of the beings. Obstructed by Marichi and Subahu rakshasas, he sought the help of Dasaratha, the king of Ayodhya. He informs Dasaratha about his wish to take the princes Rama and Lakshmana to the forest for his cause. When Dasaratha refuses to send his sons to the forest, Vasishta counsels him and they are sent to the forest. In the forest Vishvamitra wakes up SriRama in the morning citing the famous words given below.<ref name=":3" /> <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 Kausalya Supraja Rama ==

"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>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.

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>

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

Vishvamitra taught the princes the oral traditions of the land, Bala and Atibala mantras to ward off hunger and thirst, and gave them his knowledge of [[Dhanurveda (धनुर्वेदः)|Dhanurveda]]. At the place of yajna, Rama and Lakshmana, successfully ward of the perils caused due to the rakshasas and helps Visvamitra complete the yajna. Then he takes the princes to Mithila, the kingdom of Janaka where Sri Rama won the hand of Sita, Janaka's daughter.<ref name=":3" />

"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>

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>

== Scriptural learnings ==

== Scriptural learnings ==

=== Apad-dharma ===

=== Apad-dharma ===

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 dog's meat in a extraordinary dangerous situation (during a drought which lasted 12 years). Candala tells Visvamitra that one should not give up his dharma even if one lost his life. Visvamitra then relates to 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=":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>

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 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 ===

From the history of Parasurama it is seen that although Parasurama belonged to the brahminical group, he circumstantially had to work as a kshatriya. Later, after finishing his work as a kshatriya, he again became a brahmana and returned to Mahendra-parvata. Similarly, it is seen although Vishvamitra was born in a kshatriya family, by austerities and penances he achieved the position of a brahmana. This exceptions in sastras can never be regarded as a general rule for others to implement. Prescribed duties are duties enjoined according to one's psychophysical condition, and one can live more naturally if one sticks to those.

From the history of Parasurama it is seen that although Parasurama belonged to the brahminical group, he circumstantially had to work as a kshatriya. Later, after finishing his work as a kshatriya, he again became a brahmana and returned to Mahendra-parvata. Similarly, it is seen although Vishvamitra was born in a kshatriya family, by austerities and penances he achieved the position of a brahmana. This exceptions in sastras can never be regarded as a general rule for others to implement. Prescribed duties are duties enjoined according to one's psychophysical condition, and one can live more naturally if one sticks to those.

Such practice is not encouraged by Lord Krishna also in Bhagavad Gita wherein He says -  

Such practice is not encouraged by Lord Krishna also in Bhagavad Gita wherein He says - 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 ==  

== References ==  

[[Category:Rishis]]

[[Category:Rishis]]