Maharsi Vishvamitra

The Legacy of Sage Vishvamitra

Introduction

Vishvamitra (विश्वामित्र) is among the most revered sages of Himwatkhanda, the present-day Nepal. He is recognized as one of the seven Brahmarshis. Hindu tradition attributes the authorship of most of Mandala 3 of the Rigveda, including the Gayatri Mantra (3.62.10), to Vishvamitra. The Puranas note that only 24 rishis throughout history have fully comprehended and harnessed the power of the Gayatri Mantra, with Vishvamitra believed to be the first and Yajnavalkya the last.

Before he renounced his kingdom and royal status to become a Brahmarishi, Vishvamitra was a king, earning him the title of Rajarshi, or 'royal sage'.

Birth

Satyavati was married to Ruchika, an elderly man of the Bhrigu lineage, who was highly esteemed among his race. Ruchika desired a son with Brahmin qualities, so he prepared a sacrificial offering (charu) for Satyavati to help achieve this. At the request of Satyavati's mother, he also prepared another charu for her to conceive a son with the character of a Kshatriya. However, Satyavati's mother secretly persuaded Satyavati to exchange their charus. As a result, Satyavati's mother gave birth to Vishvamitra, a Kshatriya with Brahmin qualities, while Satyavati gave birth to Jamadagni, the father of Parashurama, a Brahmin with warrior qualities.

Background

Vishvamitra was a king in ancient Nepal, also called Kaushika (descendant of Kusha). He was a valiant warrior and the great-grandson of a great king named Kusha.

Vishwamitra Ashram

On the bank of the Sunkoshi river, near Rakathum, lies the temple of Vishwamitra. It is believed that the Great Sage Vishwamitra meditated here and also discovered the powerful Gayatri Mantra. In this temple lies the Shivalinga established by the sage himself, known as Vishwamitraeshwar Mahadev.

The Himavat Khanda mentions the ashram of Vishwamitra. It states, "There where the river Koshi flows with great speed, there where lies the Adilinga of Lord Mahadev, there lies the Ashram of Sage Vishwamitra, who is the son of Sage Gadhi."

On the other side of the Sunkoshi river lies the temple of Kusheswor Mahadev (where there is the Aadilinga) and Durgatirtha. This place represents the first of the sixty-four liṅgas mentioned in Nepal.

The Great Sage Vishwamitra, also known as Brahmarshi and Rajarshi, is the first sage to know the Gayatri Mantra in its full essence.

Sage Shalankayana

Sage Shalanka was one of the sons of Vishwamitra, and his lineage came to be known as Shalankayana. Shilada, being a descendant of Shalanka, was also referred to as Shalankayana. Sage Shilada undertook intense penance and prayers at various holy sites, wishing for a powerful son. His journey led him to several sacred places in the high Himalayas, located in present-day Northern Nepal. There, he bathed in the icy waters of the Gandaki River. Impressed by his devotion, the Lord granted him a boon to fulfill his wish. With the Lord’s blessings, Sage Shalankayana performed a yajna, and from it, his son Nandi was born. Nandi grew up to be a devoted follower of Lord Shiva and, through severe penance, earned the honor of becoming Shiva's gatekeeper and his sacred mount. Nandi is also referred by the name shalankayana in many texts.

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