Born in a royal family, ruled as a King, realised the power of Brahmmarishis, involved in severe penance, finally attained the title of Brahmmarishi - the life history of Viswamitra is a very interesting one. Once there was a maharishi by name Kusan, who was blessed with four sons. They established four different empires and ruled over them. One of them by name Kusanabar performed 'Puthrakameshti Yagam', and a son was born to him. This son Kadhi later got married and his wife gave birth to a daughter and a son . This son of Kadhi was Kaushika, who came to be known later as Viswamitra, the Brahmmarishi. Kadhi after getting his daughter married, relinquished his throne, crowned Kaushika as his successor and left to the forest to do penance.

Kaushika proved to be an able king and was well liked by his subjects. Once he wanted to take a tour around his country so as to ensure that everything is giong on well with his subjects. He was accompanied by his army consisting of four types namely 'Rathagajathuraga Padhadhi'. They travelled through dense forests, climbed steep mountains, and crossed rivers. The King met the people in cities and villages and finally reached the sage Vasishta's ashram.

The ashram was sorrounded by a beautiful garden with trees laden with fruits, plants with fragrant flowers. Cows, deers and other animals were loitering around. The rishis were performing Yagnas and reciting slokas. One could see some sages eating fruits and roots, some eating fallen leaves, some surviving on water alone.Vasishta was happy to receive the King and welcomed him with due honours. The King and his army were served refreshments by the sage. The King enquired about Vasishta's welfare, his 'nithya karmas'( Daily chores), his Yagnas, to which the sage replied that everything was well. Then it was the sages's turn to enquire about the King's and his subject's welfare, whether the financial position was satisfactory, whether the money was used in a constructive way and about the strength of his army. The King cleared all his doubts and prepared to leave. But the sage invited him and his entourage to have lunch in his ashram. The King surprised with this invitation and wondered how a sage leading a simple life could prepare a feast for him and his entourage. So he told Vasishta that the refreshments were ample and that there was no need for lunch. But the sage insisted on his invitation and the King had to comply with his request.