Vasishta: Maharshis of Ancient India

By S.L. Sheshadri

Vasishta was one of the sapthabrahmas who were born of the mind of Brahma. He was the royal priest who was sought not only by great emperors but also by the Gods themselves. He was an ocean of knowledge as the Vedas, shastras, music and other arts were revealed to him as soon as he was born. His ashram was a center of holy and scholarly activities. People in and around his ashram received the fruits of the sage's tapas, his wife Arundathi's love, and the divine cow Shabale's bounty. If Devendra appointed Vasishta as Brahma for a great yajna, Emperor Nimi and he cursed each other to die. The emperor died but the immortal sage assumed a new body. Under the sage's guidance, the kings of the solar clan shone as bright as the sun itself. Vasishta's advice to Emperor Dileepa to worship Nandini helped the royal couple to get a son thus averting a possible disaster of the solar line not having a successor. The sage was forced into a duel with King Kaushika when the latter coveted the holy cow, Shabale. It was upon Vasishta's advice that Dasharatha agreed to send Rama and Lakshmana with Sage Viswamithra to assist him in the great yajna. The sage was instrumental in Ahalya being relieved of her husband's curse, in Rama getting married to Sita, in consoling Bharatha and making him agree to rule over Ayodhya during Rama's absence, and in conducting Rama's coronation after the death of Ravana. King Saudasa who became Kalmashapada was subject to a series of curses. He killed all the sons of the sage due to which Vasishta tried to commit suicide. It was because of his grandson–son Shakthi and his wife Adrishyanthi's son Parashara-that he got renewed interest in life. When the period of Kalmashapada's curses were coming to an end , Vasishta forgot all about his misdeeds and blessed him to be a good king once again. Brahmarishi Vasishta is truly a deathless sage and it's believed that he is still trying to establish the rule of law on earth.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bharatha Samskruthi Prakashana
• Release date: May 23, 2019
• ISBN: 9789389020274

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MAHARSHIS OF ANCIENT INDIA

Vasishta

Written by

S.L. Sheshadri

Translated by

Prof. G. S. Mudambadithaya

© Bharatha Samskruthi Prakashana, Bengaluru. All rights reserved.

Published by:

Bharatha Samskruthi Prakashana

C/o. Bharatha Darshana,

163, Manjunatha Road, 2nd Block,

Thyagarajanagar, Bangalure 560 028,

Ph: [phone], [phone]

bharathasamskruthi.com

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Sri Ranga Sadguruve Namah

Bharatha Samskruti Prakashana, which has the major objective of acquainting our children with Bharathiya culture in its true form has brought out a number of books based on two of our great epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha. The chief among them are the Epic Characters of the Mahabharatha and the Ramayana. These beautiful books have come out in a number of languages and have been welcomed by educational institutions, the government and the public wholeheartedly. We are delighted to learn that the Bharatha Samskruti Prakashana has brought out another set of ten books on Great Maharshis of Bharatha.

These books acquaint the society with the great sages who built our great culture. They are great souls who have found out truth and devoted their life, energy and experience for the welfare of the people of this planet. They were extraordinary human beings having great wisdom, vast experience and character worthy of imitation. They gifted everything to the world without seeking fame or any kind of gain. Welfare of the world was their sole object. (Lokassamastah Sukhino Bhavantu). A few among such great men are introduced to us through these books. By a study of these books let our young boys and girls develop qualities such as faith in truth and good character and become vibrant individuals and useful citizens of this great land of Bharatha.

Let Bharatha Samskrithi Prakashana bring out many such useful books and help people become better citizens and make our country great among the nations of the world. May God bless the scholars who have written these books and those who edited them and brought them out in attractive forms. We pray to God for the good of all.

Ashtanga Yoga Vijnana Mandiram

Shravana Sukla Dwitiya

With Narayanasmaranas

Sri Sri Srirangapriya Sripadasrisrih

Bangalore

Dated 22-07-2001

VASISHTA

Shri Gurubhyo Namaha

Divine Brahma created the world long ago. Then in order to establish the rule of law he created seven sages who were shining with the brightness of the sun. They were kindness incarnate. They knew all the shastras. They are Mareechi, Atri, Angirasa, Pulatsya, Pulaha, Krathu and Vasishta. They were righteous. As they were born of the mind of Brahma they were called Saptabrahmas, Manasa Putras of Brahma and Ayonijas.

Among the immortals Vasishta is the most famous. He was the royal priest