Life History of Sages 

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Viswamitra 

Earlier, there was a mention about Sathyavathi, Viswamitra's sister who was married to Risigar Maharishi. One day, Risigar desired to visit 'Devalogam' (Abode of Devas). He asked Sathyavathi to stay back and started his journey. But Sathyavathi, who could not accept this separation, decided to follow him surreptitiously. But to her dismay, he saw her following him and infuriated by this flippant behaviour of hers, cursed Sathyavathi to turn into a river. She came to be known as river Gomathi, from then on. 

Viswamitra was the Rajaguru for King Sudas for sometime, after whose departure sage Vasishta occupied that position. Viswamitra wanted to live on the banks of river Gomathi but Sudas was reluctant to let him go. He pleaded with him to stay but Viswamitra did not comply with his request. He was determined to leave, so King Sudas bid him a fond farewell, giving him a large sum of money and precious items. 

Many persons who were desendants of Bharatha vamsa also decided to accompany him and so Viswamitra started his journey with a large entourage towards his destination. They crossed mountains, passed through forests and finally came to a place where they had to cross two rivers namely, Vibasa ( now Piyas) and Sudhuthri (now Sutlej). The rivers were flowing with great speed and their depth made it impossible for them to cross over to the other side.

Viswamitra, after ruminating for a while, spoke to the rivers (In olden times mountains and rivers were said to have a human form also -- when Himavan was in human form, Parvathi was born to him).

Being a great poet, Viswamitra praised the rivers saying, "Oh, Vibasa and Sudhuthri! You, who are the quintessance of virtue, who emerging from the gut of the mountains, are running like two horses with loosened bridles!" (Rig Veda, iii,33.1)

"Lord Indra, to whom you pray has incited you, and you are falling into the sea frittering away your strength. Flowing together, you are constantly searching for each other with your waves" ( Rig Veda,iii,33.2).

The rivers replied to him thus, "Starting from the mountains, we are running towards our destination. You should not stop our flow- What can a poetic sage do?".(Rig Veda,iii,33.4 )

Viswamitra requested them, "Oh virtuous rivers! Please lend your ears to my request, stop your journey and rest for a few seconds" ( Rig Veda,iii,33.5).

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The scintillating conversation continued for a while like this and the rivers complained that they should not be blamed for their depth and that Indra was the culprit. Viswamitra decided to appeal once more finally and said, "Please hear a person who has travelled a long way to come here, bend, so as to enable us to cross the rivers. Let your water run below our chariot axle" ( Rig Veda,iii,33.9).

Both the rivers agreed to his request and told him, "We will listen to you, Oh sage, since you have travelled a long way. Like a mother bending to feed her child, like a virgin obeying the words of her lover, we will obey you"( Rig Veda,iii,33.10).

True to their promise, the rivers ran low and Viswamitra blessed and thanked them for their help and continued with his journey.

Published by Kala Nilayam
Ramakrishna Mutt Road,
Mylapore, Chennai - 4

By AV Sugavaneshwaran
Tr. by Radha N.

More on Life History of Sages

Published on 7th Aug 2003

 

 

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