वसिष्ठ
Vasishta, also known as Vasistha, is a revered sage and the chief of the SaptaRishis, a group of seven great sages in Hindu mythology. He is considered to be one of the most important and influential sages of ancient India, and is often referred to as the “Perceptor of the Ishvahu Clan” or the “Surya Dynasty”.
As the preceptor of the Ishvahu clan, Vasishta was the guru of Rama, the legendary king of Ayodhya, and his father, Dasharatha. He was also the son of Brahma, the creator god, and is considered to be a ManasaPutra, or a wish-born son, which means that he was born through Brahma’s divine will.
Vasishta’s wife, Arundhati, is a star in the heavens and is often depicted as an ideal wife in Hindu mythology. In a typical Hindu wedding, the bride is made to gaze at Arundhati in the heavens, emphasizing her role as a model of devotion and loyalty. Some accounts also suggest that Vasishta’s wife was Urja, a daughter of Daksha, a powerful sage and a king.
Vasishta is also famous for his possession of the divine cow Nandini, which is the offspring of Indra’s cow Kamadhenu. Nandini is a magical cow that can yield anything desired by a seeker, just like her mother. Vasishta was given Nandini as a gift by Indra, the king of the gods, and is said to have used her to fulfill the needs of his students and followers.
One of the most famous stories about Vasishta is his struggle with Vishwamitra, another great sage, for being the greatest sage of all time. This story is often depicted in Hindu mythology as a symbol of the rivalry between two powerful sages, each trying to outdo the other in their wisdom and spiritual powers.
Related entries:
- SaptaRishis: The SaptaRishis are a group of seven great sages in Hindu mythology, who are considered to be the most important and influential sages of ancient India.
- Ishvahu Clan: The Ishvahu clan is also referred to as the Surya dynasty, and is a powerful and influential family in Hindu mythology.
- Brahma: Brahma is the creator god in Hindu mythology, and is considered to be the father of Vasishta.
- Arundhati: Arundhati is a star in the heavens and is often depicted as an ideal wife in Hindu mythology.
- Urja: Urja is a daughter of Daksha and is said to be the wife of Vasishta in some accounts.
- Nandini: Nandini is a divine cow that is the offspring of Indra’s cow Kamadhenu, and is said to be able to yield anything desired by a seeker.
- Vishwamitra: Vishwamitra is a great sage who is said to have struggled with Vasishta for being the greatest sage of all time.
- Kamadhenu: Kamadhenu is a divine cow that is said to be able to yield anything desired by a seeker, and is the mother of Nandini.
Some of the key characteristics of Vasishta include:
- Chief of the SaptaRishis: Vasishta is the chief of the SaptaRishis, a group of seven great sages in Hindu mythology.
- Preceptor of the Ishvahu Clan: Vasishta is the preceptor of the Ishvahu clan, which is also referred to as the Surya dynasty.
- Son of Brahma: Vasishta is the son of Brahma, the creator god, and is considered to be a ManasaPutra, or a wish-born son.
- Possessor of Nandini: Vasishta is the possessor of the divine cow Nandini, which is the offspring of Indra’s cow Kamadhenu.
- Famous for his struggle with Vishwamitra: Vasishta is famous for his struggle with Vishwamitra, another great sage, for being the greatest sage of all time.