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The story of Sage Vishwamitra
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 51 to 65)• Meditation:
► I meditate on sage Vishwamitra whose wealth was his Tapas.• Puranic Events:
• Sri Rama hearing the story of sage Vishwamitra from sage Shatananda: Sri Rama heard the story of sage Vishwamitra from sage Shatananda (who is the son of Devi Ahalya).(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 51 to 65)
1. Encounter of king Vishwamitra with sage Vasishtha and Kamadhenu:
• Sage Vishwamitra as king: There was a king named Kusha who was the son of Prajapati. The son of Kusha was Kushanabha who was a great follower of righteousness (Sudharmika). The son of Kushanabha was the renowned Gadhi. The son of Gadhi was the great sage Vishwamitra of fiery energy (Mahateja). This Vishwamitra of great energy (Mahateja) ruled the earth for many thousand of years as a king.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 51)
• King Vishwamitra coming to the hermitage of sage Vasishtha: Once king Vishwamitra travelled around the earth with an Akshauhini (a very large unit) of army. Travelling through many cities, kingdoms, rivers and mountains, the king came to the hermitage of sage Vasishtha. The hermitage was adorned with numerous flowering trees and creepers. Deers and various animals and birds moved around peacefully. Siddhas, Charanas, Devas. Danavas, Gandharvas and Kinnaras visited the hermitage. Brahmanas, Devarshis and Brahmarshis and sages like Valakhilayas and Vaikhanasas abided in the hermitage performing yagna and Tapas. Due to the accomplishment of their ascesis, their splendour shone like the ritual fire. Some lived on water alone, some on dry leaves and some on fruits and tubers. King Vishwamitra came to such a great hermitage which was like a Brahma Loka in this world itself.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 51)
• King Vishwamitra meeting sage Vasishtha: Meeting the great sage Vasishtha, king Vishwamitra bowed down and saluted him. Sage Vasishtha welcomed him and offered him fruits and tubers. They asked about the welfare of each other. Then sage Vasishtha told him about his wish to offer guestship to him and his army befitting the status of a king. King Vishwamitra declined initially thinking about the means of the sage. He said that by seeing the sage itself everything has been accomplished. But when sage Vasishtha repeatedly entreated him, Vishwamitra accepted.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 52)
• Sage Vasishtha invoking Shabala (Kamadhenu): Then sage Vasishtha invoked Shabala (Kamadhenu) and told her to produce foodstuffs of the six tastes in plentiful. Shabala produced sugarcane, honey, royal drinks, rice, pulses, curds, milk, ghee and every king of foodstuffs. King Vishwamitra and his army became well-satisfied after partaking the food.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 52 to 53)
• King Vishwamitra asking for Shabala; Sage Vasishtha declining: King Vishwamitra then asked for Shabala in exchange of thousands of cows. Sage Vasishtha declined saying that he cannot part with Shabala in exchange of any amount of wealth. Shabala is an inseparable part of him like self-respect is an inseparable part of a respectable person. Shabala makes the journey of his life possible by arranging for Agnihotra, Bali, Homa and other religious practices. King Vishwamitra then offered elephants, chariots, horses, cows and gems. But sage Vasishtha declined saying that Shabala is like an alter-ego of him.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 53)
• King Vishwamitra trying to take Shabala by force: King Vishwamitra then tried to drag Shabala forcefully through his servants. Shabala became highly anguished thinking about why she was being separated from the sage. She forcefully freed herself from hundreds of king's men and came to the feet of sage Vasishtha.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 54)
• Sage Vasishtha permitting Shabala to produce power to overcome the king: Shabala asked sage Vasishtha why she was discarded by the sage. Was there any fault on her part? Sage Vasishtha said that it was not his decision but the king was forcefully taking her away due to his arrogance. After all, he is the Lord of the land and hence mightier than him. Shabala said that the might of a brahmana is greater than the might of a kshatriya. The sage is mightier than the king. If the sage gives her permission, she will prove that. After all, she is filled with the power of the sagacity of the sage. Sage Vasishtha then permitted Shabala to produce a power which can overcome the power of the king.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 54)
• Shabala creating Pahlavas: Shabala then created Pahlava kings from her Hamba sound which started destroying the army of king Vishwamitra. King Vishwamitra in anger started destroying those Pahlavas with his weapons.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 54)
• Shabala creating Shakas mixed with Yavanas: Shabala then created deadly Shakas mixed with Yavanas from her Hamba sound. Those Shakas and Yavanas started destroying the army of king Vishwamitra. Then king Vishwamitra started releasing deadly missiles which made those Yavanas, Kambhoja and Barbaras run helter-skelter.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 54)
• Shabala creating Kambhojas, Pahlavas, Yavanas, Shakas, Mlecchas, Haritas and Kiratakas: Seeing king Vishwamitra destroying the forces created by Shabala, sage Vasishtha motivated her to create more forces. Shabala then created Kambhojas similar to the splendour of the Sun through her Humkara; Pahlavas wielding weapons from her udder; Yavanas from her yoni; Shakas from her anus; and Mlecchas, Haritas and Kiratakas from the pores of her hairs. They destroyed the army of king Vishwamitra.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 55)
• Sons of Vishwamitra attacking sage Vasishtha; sage Vasishtha destroys them: Seeing the army completely destroyed, hundred sons of Vishwamitra rushed towards sage Vasishtha in anger to attack him. Sage Vasishtha burnt them all with a Humkara.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 55)
• King Vishwamitra leaving for Tapas: Seeing his army and sons destroyed, king Vishwamitra became listless like a serpent whose fangs have been removed or a bird whose wings have been cut. Then king Vishwamitra gave his kingdom to one of his sons and went to the forest for Tapas.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 55)
2. Second encounter of king Vishwamitra with sage Vasishtha after attaining divine weapons from Lord Shiva:
• Vishwamitra performing Tapas in the Himalayas to please Lord Shiva: Vishwamitra went to the Himalayas frequented by the Kinnaras and the Uragas, and started performing Tapas to please Lord Shiva.(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 55)
• Lord Shiva appearing before sage Vishwamitra and bestowing divine weapons to him: After a long time, Lord Shiva whose emblem is the bull appeared before Vishwamitra and told him to ask for a boon. Vishwamitra asked for the knowledge of Dhanurveda along with all its branches and all the weapons that existed with the Devas. Lord Shiva bestowed that boon and disappeared.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 55)
• Vishwamitra destroying the hermitage of sage Vasishtha: Then Vishwamitra went to the hermitage of sage Vasishtha and with his divine weapons started destroying the hermitage. The saints, animals and birds started fleeing the place. Sage Vasishtha tried to stop them but his calls were of no avail. The hermitage became deserted and destroyed.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 55)
• Sage Vasishtha confronting Vishwamitra with his Danda and humbling him: Then sage Vasishtha in rage raised his Danda (Baton) which was like Kala Agni (Fire of destruction) and the Danda of Yama. Vishwamitra then challenged sage Vasishtha to withstand his missiles. Sage Vasishtha challenged him back to display his prowess and weapons and said that the belligerence of a kshatriya cannot match the sagacity of a sage. Sage Vasishtha nullified all the weapons of Vishwamitra with his Brahma Danda. Finally Vishwamitra released the Brahmastra. All the celestials were terrified. Sage Vasishtha diffused even the Brahmastra with his Brahma Danda by assuming a terrible appearance like Rudra. The saints extolled Vasishtha and pleaded him to pacify his Rudra appearance. Hearing the prayers of the saints, sage Vasishtha pacified himself. Vishwamitra was humbled. He said: "Fie on the power of Kshatriya, the power of Brahmateja is mightier than that. With only one Brahma Danda, all my weapons are diffused". With this realisation, Vishwamitra left for Tapas to attain the brahma-hood of sages.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 55 to 56)
3. Further Tapas and attaining the loka of Rajarshis:
• Vishwamitra performing supreme Tapas in the south for thousand years: Then Vishwamitra with anguish in his heart due to the remembrance of his defeat by sage Vasishtha, went in the southern direction with his queen and performed a great Tapas for thousand years living only on fruits and tubers. He gave birth to sons names Havispanda, Madhusyanda, Dridhanetra and Maharatha. After thousand years of Tapas, Lord Brahma appeared before Vishwamitra and told him that he has won the loka of the Rajarshis by his Tapas. So he will be recognized as such. Saying so, Lord Brahma went away.(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 57)
4. Further Tapas and encounter with king Trishanku:
• Vishwamitra again performing Tapas: Vishwamitra thought that with all his Tapas he has attained only the lokas of Rajarshis. This is not the fruition of his Tapas. So he again started performing a great Tapas.(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 57)
• Desire of king Trishanku: There was a king named Trishanku in the Ikshvaku dynasty who was truthful and with controlled senses. A desire sprang up in his mind to perform a ritual by means of which he can go to heaven with his body.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 57)
• King Trishanku approaching sage Vasishtha; Vasishtha refuses him: King Trishanku approached sage Vasishtha to perform the ritual. Sage Vasishtha refused him saying that it is not possible to do so.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 57)
• King Trishanku approaching the sons of sage Vasishtha; they curse him: King Trishanku then went towards the south and approached the (hundred) sons of sage Vasishtha to perform the ritual. The sons also refused him saying that since Vasishtha, the guru of the Ikshvaku dynasty, and the most exalted sage, has refused him, it was childish on his part to approach them who are also of the same tree. When king Trishanku indicated that he will now seek another recourse, the sons of sage Vasishtha seeing that this will lead to a calamity became highly enraged and cursed the king to become a Chandala.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 57 to 58)
• King Trishanku becoming a Chandala: By the curse of the sons of sage Vasishtha, king Trishanku became a Chandala. His clothes and color became blackish and he became smeared with crematory ashes. All the ministers of the king deserted him.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 58)
• King Trishanku approaching Vishwamitra; Vishwamitra accepts him: Then king Trishanku who had become a Chandala approached sage Vishwamitra. Seeing the condition of the king, and knowing that he was a righteous king, sage Vishwamitra became sympathetic towards him. Vishwamitra asked the purpose of his visit. King Trishanku told about his desire and his encounters with sage Vasishtha and his sons. He also said that he is not a liar and a person of probity who as a king ruled with righteousness. However, he was not able to attain his desire in-spite of performing many rituals. When king Trishanku took refuge of Vishwamitra, he assured him that he will send him to heaven.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 58 to 59)
• Vishwamitra commanding his sons and disciples to prepare for the yagna: Then Vishwamitra ordered his sons to arrange for the yagna. He commanded his disciples to invite all the eminent sages and Vedic scholars to conduct the yagna. He said to report to him if any sage refuses his order. The disciples went in all the directions. Vedic scholars started arriving for the yagna. The disciples returned and reported that the sons of sage Vasishtha had refused deriding that: "How can gods accept the oblations from a Chandala?".
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 59)
• Vishwamitra cursing the sons of sage Vasishtha: Vishwamitra then uttered a curse that whoever disobeys his command will be born as an eater of dog's flesh and suffer for many births. Vishwamitra came to know through his ascetic power that his curse had taken effect on the sons of sage Vasishtha.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 59 to 60)
• Vishwamitra ordering the sages and Vedic scholars to perform the yagna: Then Vishwamitra ordered the sages and Vedic Scholars to perform the yagna by which Trishanku can ascend to heaven.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 60)
• Vishwamitra conducting the yagna; Gods refusing to accept oblations: The yagna started where sage Vishwamitra himself was the Kratu (the main officiator of the yagna). After the yagna continued for a long time, Vishwamitra invited the gods to accept the oblations. But the gods did not come forward to receive the oblations.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 60)
• Vishwamitra making Trishanku ascend towards heaven by his ascetic power: Then Vishwamitra in fury lifted up the wooden ladle of the yagna and said to Trishanku: "Now I will make you ascend to heaven by my ascetic power alone which is not attainable otherwise". Saying this, Vishwamitra made Trishanku ascend towards heaven with his mortal body.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 60)
• The gods making Trishanku fall down from heaven: The gods made Trishanku, who was cursed by his guru, to fall down from heaven with his head upside down. Trishanku cried to Vishwamitra to save him.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 60)
• Vishwamitra started creating another Loka for Trishanku: Seeing Trishanku falling down, Vishwamitra arrested his fall by saying "Wait". Then he started creating stars and galaxies and another Loka. The gods were highly startled and pleaded to Vishwamitra that Trishanku is not eligible to go to heaven. Vishwamitra said that he is not interested to make his words untrue, so let Trishanku remain amidst his created Loka. Also let his creation of stars remain. The gods agreed and said that Trishanku can remain within the created Loka but in the upside down posture. Vishwamitra agreed.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 60)
5. Further Tapas and encounter with Shunashepa:
• Vishwamitra going towards west and performing another Tapas: Due to the hindrance in his Tapas caused by king Trishanku, the great Vishwamitra went to the western direction where there are lakes, and started performing Tapas living on fruits and tubers only.(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 61)
• King Ambarisha performing a Vedic ritual: During this time, king Ambarisha of Ayodhya started performing a Vedic yagna.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 61)
• Indra stealing the ritual animal; Ambarisha searching for a substitute: Indra stole the ritual animal of the yajamana. The priest told Ambarisha that the ritual animal has gone missing and the result of this bad conduct of unguarded animal will befall on the king. That animal alone can be used in this ritual. Therefore, the king should either get that animal or a human being for sacrifice.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 61)
• King Ambarisha trying to get a human being for sacrifice: King Ambarisha tried to get a human being for sacrifice in exchange of thousands of cows.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 61)
• King Ambarisha meeting sage Richika and getting his son Shunashepa: While searching for the human being for sacrifice, king Ambarisha came to Bhrigutunga, where sage Richika had settled with his wife and sons. King Ambarisha told sage Richika to give one of his sons for his sacrifice in exchange of hundred thousand cows. The king said that he had visited all the provinces but he has still not obtained the human to complete his sacrifice. Sage Richika said that he cannot sell his eldest son to the king. Hearing this the wife of the sage said that she cannot part with the youngest son named Shunaka. The eldest son is generally the favourite of the fathers and the youngest son the favourite of the mothers. Then the middle son Shunashepa told this to the king: "Father said that the eldest son cannot be sold and mother said that the youngest son cannot be sold. Therefore I deem that I am sellable. Hence take me." Hearing this, the king gave lot of gold, silver and cows to the king and took the son Shunashepa.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 62)
• Shunashepa meeting his maternal uncle Vishwamitra: While returning with Shunashepa hastily, king Ambarisha took rest on a lakeside. There, Shunashepa saw sage Vishwamitra performing Tapas with other sages.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 62)
• Shunashepa asking for protection from sage Vishwamitra: Shunashepa was distressed as well as tired and thirsty. He fell on the lap of sage Vishwamitra and asked for protection. Shunashepa said that let the purpose of king Ambarisha be achieved, but let him also have longevity so that he can also perform a great Tapas and enjoy heavenly lokas. Vishwamitra pacified Shunashepa.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 62)
• Sage Vishwamitra asking his sons to replace Shunashepa; they refuse: Then sage Vishwamitra addressed his sons and said that: "Fathers give birth to sons for some good of the world. The time has come for this. So you replace this Shinashepa by becoming the sacrificial animal." However the sons of sage Vishwamitra haughtily refused saying that it is a wrong-doing.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 62)
• Sage Vishwamitra cursing his sons: Sage Vishwamitra cursed his sons that they will born as eaters of dog's meat for full thousand years similar to the son of sage Vasishtha.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 62)
• Sage Vishwamitra imparting Vedic hymns to Shunashepa: Then sage Vishwamitra imparted two Vedic hymns to Shunashepa telling that when he is fastened to the sacrificial post with red paste and garlands, he should chant these two hymns and praise Agni deva. Then his aspiration will be fulfilled.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 62)
• Shunashepa chanting the Vedic hymns and obtains grace of Indra deva: Getting the Vedic hymns from sage Vishwamitra, Shunashepa quickly went to king Ambarisha to complete the Vedic ritual with him as the animal. King Ambarisha was gladdened and quickly made the required arrangements with Shunashepa as the sacrificial animal. When Shunashepa was tied to the sacrificial post, he pleased Indra deva with his Vedic hymn. Indra deva granted longevity to Shunashepa as well as bestowed fruits of the yagna to king Ambarisha.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 62)
6. Further Tapas and becoming a Rishi:
• Vishwamitra performing Tapas for thousand years and becoming a Rishi: Vishwamitra performed Tapas on the lakeside for another thousand years. Lord Brahma appeared to him and said that on account of his auspicious deeds he has become a Rishi.(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 62 to 63)
7. Further Tapas and encounter with Menaka:
• Vishwamitra again starting a great Tapas: Vishwamitra again started a great Tapas.(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 63)
• Sage Vishwamitra becoming attracted towards Menaka: During that time apsara Menaka came to swim in that lake. Vishwamitra became attracted towards her and told her to stay in his hermitage. In this way ten years rolled by. This caused hindrance in the Tapas of Vishwamitra. Vishwamitra realised that all these were the deeds of gods to hinder his Tapas. He sent away Menaka and went to the Himalayas in the north.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 63)
8. Further Tapas in the Himalayas and becoming a Maharshi:
• Vishwamitra performing Tapas for thousand more years in the Himalayas and becoming a Maharshi: Then Vishwamitra with a firm resolve performed a great Tapas for thousand years on the bank of river Kaushiki in the Himalayas. The gods approached Lord Brahma and requested him that sage Vishwamitra be given the title of Maharshi. Lord Brahma appeared before sage Vishwamitra and called him as Maharshi. However, Vishwamitra said that since he was only called as Maharshi and not Brahmarshi, his senses still remain unconquered. Lord Brahma said that his senses still remain unconquered. So let him strive for that.(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 63)
9. Further Tapas and encounter with Rambha:
• Vishwamitra performing Tapas for another thousand years with upraised arms: Then Vishwamitra performed Tapas for another thousand years with upraised arms and subsisting on air alone. During summer he became heated by the five fires. During rainy season he performed Tapas under the open sky. During winter, he performed Tapas in water. Thus thousand years passed by. The fire of his Tapas disturbed the gods.(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 63)
• Indra sending Rambha to disturb the Tapas of Vishwamitra; Vishwamitra cursing her: Then Indra sent Rambha to hinder the Tapas of Vishwamitra. When Rambha expressed her fear, Indra said that he himself will assume the guise of a heart-stealing cuckoo during springtime and stay by her side. Rambha went to the place of Vishwamitra and tried to distract him. When Vishwamitra heard the sound of cuckoo and saw Rambha, he understood that it was the ploy of gods to distract him from Tapas. Vishwamitra cursed Rambha that she will become a Shila (Stone) for ten thousand years. The gods fled. However, Vishwamitra lost the merit of his Tapas due to his anger and therefore he became repentant.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 63 to 64)
10. Further Tapas and conquering Senses:
• Vishwamitra resolving to attain Brahmanhood: Vishwamitra resolved: I will not succumb to anger anymore. Else I will not respire for hundred years since respiration will also exhibit moods. Till I attain Brahman-hood through my Tapas, I will continue my Tapas for endless years without breathing and without food. Neither will my body decay while performing tapas.(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 64)
• Vishwamitra performing Tapas for thousand years: Then Vishwamitra left the Himalayas went to the eastern direction and performed severe Tapas. Remaining silent for thousand years he performed his unparalleled vow which was extremely difficult. The mahamuni became like wood. He was shaken by many barriers but still anger did not enter his heart. After the completion of the Tapas when he was about to take his meal, Indra came in the guise of a brahmana and to test him and asked for the food. Vishwamitra without anger gave away the food to the brahmana.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 65)
11. Further Tapas and becoming a Brahmarshi:
• Vishwamitra performing Tapas for another thousand years: Vishwamitra continued his Tapas for another thousand years without breathing. Thereafter due to controlled breath, fumes started to emit from his head. The three worlds became agitated by that heat. The devas and other celestial beings went to pitamaha Brahma requesting him to stop the Tapas of Vishwamitra by giving him boon.(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 65)
• Vishwamitra becoming a Brahmarshi: Pitamaha Brahma appeared before Vishwamitra with the devas and bestowed Brahmanhood on him along with long life and marud ganas. Vishwamitra said: If I have indeed attained Brahmanhood and long life, let the Omkara, Vasatkara and Vedas give boon (of knowledge) to me, and let Vasishtha, the best one in the knowledge in Vedas, also acknowledge my Brahmanhood. Then invoked by the devas, Vasishtha appeared and making friendship with Vishwamitra said: "You are a Brahmarshi".
(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 66)
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