Vasishtha facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vasishtha |
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A 1994 painting of Vashishtha with his wife Arundhati and Kamadhenu cow by Shri Tulsi Peeth Seva Nyas
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| Religion | Hinduism |
| Spouse | Arundhati |
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| Parents | Vedic Mitra-Varuṇa and Urvaśī Puranic Brahma |
| Religious career | |
| Title | Saptarishi |
Vasishtha (Sanskrit: वसीष्ठ, IAST: Vasiṣṭha) was a very old and respected sage in ancient India. He is known as one of the Saptarishis, which means the "seven great sages" of India.
Vasishtha is believed to be the main writer of Mandala 7 of the Rigveda. The Rigveda is one of the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism. Vasishtha and his family are mentioned in many ancient Indian writings. His ideas were very important. Some even called him the first sage of the Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy. This was said by Adi Shankara, a famous thinker.
Contents
Who Was Vasishtha?
Vasishtha was a wise teacher and a powerful sage. He is famous for his knowledge and spiritual power. Many stories tell of his wisdom and his special abilities.
His Family and Origins
In Vedic stories, Vasishtha is said to be the son of Mitra and Varuṇa, and the nymph Urvaśī. In later stories, called Puranas, he is sometimes described as a mind-born son of Brahma, the creator god. He was married to Arundhati. They had several children, including Shakti.
Important Stories About Vasishtha
Many ancient Indian texts talk about Vasishtha. He appears in many legends and plays a key role in them.
The Divine Cow Kamadhenu
One famous story tells how Vasishtha owned a magical cow named Kamadhenu. This cow, and her calf Nandini, could grant anything their owner wished for. This made Vasishtha very powerful and respected.
Conflicts with Vishvamitra
Vasishtha is also well-known for his legendary disagreements with another powerful sage, Vishvamitra. These stories often show a battle of spiritual power and determination between the two sages. Their conflicts are popular tales in Hindu mythology.
Teacher of Lord Rama
In the epic story of the Ramayana, Vasishtha was the family priest for the Raghu dynasty. This was the royal family of Ayodhya. He was also the teacher of Lord Rama and his brothers. He taught them about dharma (right conduct) and many other important lessons.
Writings Attributed to Vasishtha
Several important texts are believed to have been written by or inspired by Vasishtha. These include:
- The Yoga Vashishtha: This is a philosophical text that teaches about yoga and spiritual wisdom.
- The Vashishtha Samhita: This text covers various topics, including astrology and dharma.
- Some parts of the Agni Purana and Vishnu Purana: These are ancient Hindu religious texts that tell stories about gods and heroes.
Images for kids
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A Vashishtha statue in granite stone.
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Vashishtha Temple, in Vashisht village, Himachal Pradesh
See also
In Spanish: Vásishtha para niños
