Sage Agastya: The Incarnation of Agni and His Legendary Deeds
According to legend, Agastya is an incarnation of the fire god Agni. Both Agni and the wind god Vayu had been cursed by Indra for insubordination, and their punishment was to be born as mortals. Vayu was born as the sage Vasishta (in a variation of the story different from the popular version where Vasishta is a wish-born son of Brahma). Following the curse, Agastya was born as the son of MitraVaruna Rishi and the celestial nymph Urvashi. This differs from the dual Mitra-Varuna mentioned in the Rig Veda. Among Agastya’s many epithets are KumbhaSambhava (born in a pot) and MitraVaruni (son of MitraVaruna). From an early age, he displayed an exceptional aptitude for spiritual knowledge and the scriptures.
Balancing the Earth During Shiva’s Marriage
When the marriage of Shiva and Uma, the daughter of Himavan (the king of mountains), was being conducted at Kailasa, all creatures and people flocked north to witness the divine event. This caused the earth to tip dangerously towards the north. Realizing the imbalance, Shiva declared, “This must be corrected. Only Agastya can balance the earth.” He summoned Agastya and instructed him to journey south to counter the northern tilt with his yogic powers. Agastya, honored by the task, was nonetheless saddened that he would miss the celestial marriage. Perceiving his thoughts, Shiva granted him a boon: whenever Agastya wished to see them, Shiva and Uma would appear before him. Content with the blessing, Agastya began his journey southward.
The Vindhya Mountains and Agastya’s Trick
On his way south, Agastya encountered the Vindhya mountains, which had grown jealous of the Himalayas and were attempting to surpass them in height. Agastya asked the Vindhya to halt its growth temporarily, as it would be difficult to cross on his return. Tricked by the sage, the Vindhya agreed and ceased growing. However, Agastya never returned north, making his permanent abode in the south, thereby ensuring the Vindhya remained shorter than the Himalayas.
Agastya’s Family and Southern Legacy
Agastya married Lopamudra, the daughter of the king of Vidharba. He also had another wife named Kaveri, the daughter of sage Kavera. During a severe famine in the south, Kaveri transformed into the river of the same name (Kaveri), which continues to flow to this day. She is also referred to as the “southern Ganga.”
Curses by Agastya
Agastya was known for his powerful curses. One notable instance involves Nahusha, who insulted Agastya and was cursed to be born as a giant python. Years later, Bheema played a role in releasing Nahusha from the curse. Another instance involved a king named Indradhyumna, whom Agastya cursed to be born as an elephant (later known as Gajendra) for being late in receiving the sage. Lord Vishnu eventually freed Gajendra from this curse.
Defeating Vatapi and Ilvala
When Lopamudra expressed a desire for jewelry and fine clothes, Agastya sought wealth from three kings—Shrutharva, Thrasadasyu, and Bradhnashwa. They advised him to defeat two powerful demon brothers, Vatapi and Ilvala, who were terrorizing the land. Vatapi, a shape-shifter, would transform into a goat, be cooked and fed to guests, and then reemerge alive upon his brother’s command, killing the unsuspecting guest. When they attempted this trick on Agastya, the sage preemptively said, “May Vatapi be digested!” By his yogic powers, he dissolved Vatapi before he could reemerge. Enraged, Ilvala attacked, but Agastya reduced him to ashes with his powers. Agastya then took the riches of the palace to Lopamudra, who was overjoyed.
Drinking the Ocean Dry
In another legendary tale, Agastya drank the ocean dry. The southern region was plagued by Asuras who had disrupted the penances of the sages. When Vishnu hunted the Asuras, some of them hid in the ocean. Unable to reach them, Vishnu requested Agastya to expose the demons by drinking the ocean dry. Agastya did so using his yogic powers, leaving the Asuras vulnerable to destruction.
Agastya and the Ramayana
During the battle between Rama and Ravana in the Ramayana, Rama became disheartened by the enormity of the task ahead. Agastya appeared before Rama and instructed him in the use of Aditya Hridayam, a hymn praising the Sun god Surya. After reciting the hymn, Rama regained his strength and ultimately defeated Ravana.
Summary Table: Key Events in Agastya’s Life
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Incarnation of Agni | Born as the son of MitraVaruna and Urvashi, fulfilling the curse of Indra. |
| Balancing the Earth | Tasked by Shiva to move south to balance the earth during his marriage to Uma. |
| Vindhya Mountains Trick | Convinced the Vindhya mountains to halt their growth, ensuring they remained shorter than the Himalayas. |
| Marriage | Married Lopamudra and Kaveri, with Kaveri transforming into the river of the same name. |
| Cursing Nahusha and Indradhyumna | Cursed Nahusha to become a python and Indradhyumna to become an elephant (Gajendra). |
| Defeating Vatapi and Ilvala | Outwitted the demon brothers, dissolving Vatapi and turning Ilvala to ashes. |
| Drinking the Ocean Dry | Drank the ocean to expose the Asuras hiding in its depths. |
| Instructing Rama | Taught Rama the Aditya Hridayam, helping him regain strength to defeat Ravana. |
Conclusion
Sage Agastya, born from the union of MitraVaruna and Urvashi, played a pivotal role in many ancient Hindu myths. From balancing the earth during Shiva’s marriage to outwitting demons and drinking the ocean dry, Agastya’s legend showcases his immense yogic powers and devotion to maintaining cosmic balance. He is revered as a central figure in the southern traditions of Hinduism and is a symbol of wisdom, power, and devotion.