SAGEVASISTHA-Part 5 –Final part Dearfriends,
This posting about sage VASISTHA is compiled from Google search by asking manyquestions curious to me and posted in my style which is desired by a fewmembers than asQA posting. Informationrelevant from Wikipedia is also included. Thisposting is least intended to all knowing and criticizing and fault findingmembers. Hope the postings will be interesting and informative to manyof my friends. Since the information is more it is posted in parts. I have covered most of the incidents related to sageVasistha, except about his 100 sons death, failing of his attempts to commitsuicide, his lineage, his immortality and some smaller points. This is FIFTH AND final part of the posting about Sage Vasistha. Gopalakrishnan 20-02-2026 Death of sons According to Hindu mythology, specifically in the Mahabharataand Purāṇas, Sage Vasishta attempted suicide due to overwhelming, unbearablegrief after all his sons were killed by King Kalmashapada, who was under the influence of a demon instigated by Sage Vishwamitra. Even as a great sage who had mastered his senses, the utterdestruction of his entire lineage left him feeling that his life had lost allpurpose, driving him to despair. Key Reasons for theSuicide Attempt: Destruction of His Sons: Vishwamitra, in his extremejealousy, instigated a demon to possess King Kalmashapada, causing him to kill and devour allone hundred of Vasishta's sons, including his eldest son, Shakti. Intense Personal Grief: The profound emotional pain caused bythe loss of his family pushed the saint beyond his limit of endurance. Refusal to Use Powers for Revenge: While Vasishta had the immensespiritual power (Brahmatejas) to kill Vishwamitra or the king, he had taken a vow of non-violence (Ahimsa)and non-retaliation, leaving him with no way to channel his anger,which turned inward as despair. Why He Failed (The TurningPoint): Vasishta tried to end his life by throwing himself into afire, jumping off a cliff, and tying himself with heavy rocks to drown in theriver (later known as the Beas or Vipasha). However, nature protected him: The fire would not burn him.The river recognized his holinessand broke into hundreds of shallow channels to avoid drowning him. He finally stopped hisattempts when he heard the voice of his daughter-in-law, Adrisyanti, recitingthe Vedas. He learned she was pregnant with his grandson, Parashara, who wasreciting the Vedas from the womb. Realizing there was still a descendant tocarry on his line, he found the strength to live again. Sage Vasistha immortal Here is how and when the key, often-cited death experiencesof Sage Vasistha occurred: 1. The Episode of Suicide Attempts (Post-Death of HisChildren) The most commonly cited "death" story involvesprofound grief when Sage Vishwamitra, out of jealousy, caused a demon to killall 100 of Vasistha’s sons. How: Overcome by grief, Vasistha tried to commit suicidemultiple times: He jumped from a high mountain peak, but the rocks became assoft as cotton. He threw himself into a raging river (identified as the RiverVipasha/Beas), but the river refused to drown him and instead washed him ashore,untying the ropes with which he had bound himself. Result: All his attempts to kill himself were unsuccessful,and he eventually accepted his sorrow and continued his life as a sage. 2. Death by CurseExchange with King Nimi In another account, Vasistha died due to a mutual cursebetween him and his disciple, King Nimi. How: Vasistha went to perform a sacrifice for King Indra,causing a delay in his duty to King Nimi. Nimi appointed another priest. Enraged, Vasisthacursed Nimi to lose his body (die). Nimi, in turn, cursed Vasistha with thesame fate. Result: Vasistha’s soul departed his body and merged intothe elements (Varuna and Mitra). He was later reborn from them when they sawthe apsara Urvashi. End of the FirstManvantara The Puranas state that at the end of the first Manvantara(Swayambhava Manvantara), Vasistha, along with other Saptarishis (Atri,Pulastya, etc.), passed away and was transported to a higher realm (Janaloka). Key Context onVasistha’s "Death" Immortal Status: Despite these incidents, Vasistha isconsidered a Saptarishi (one of the seven great sages) and an immortal who appears indifferent eras, including the Ramayana and Mahabharata. The Yoga Vasistha: The text Yoga Vasistha portrays him asan enlightened master who guides Lord Rama, often speaking on the transientnature of life, death, and the body. Based on the narratives in the Mahabharata and Ramayana, thestatement that Vasistha’s sons were not up to his expectations isgenerally considered incorrect in terms of their character or ability.Instead, they were considered noble, virtuous, and capable—often described asequal to Vasistha himself in energy. However, the misconception may arise from the tragiccircumstances surrounding their death, where they succumbed to anger,leading to their demise. Key Aspects ofVasistha’s Sons Virtuous and Capable: Vasistha took great pride in his sons,considering them capable, wise, and helpful in his duties. Their Death: The hundred sons of Vasistha (withShakti being the eldest) did not die because they failed to meet his moral orintellectual standards. They were killed as a result of a deep,bitter rivalry between Sage Vasistha and Sage Vishwamitra. The Incident: Vishwamitra, seeking to humiliateVasistha, instigated a demon to enter the body of King Kalmashapada.In this state, the king killed and ate all of Vasistha's sons. The Role of Anger: While noble, they were not immuneto human emotions. The eldest son, Shakti, became furious withKing Kalmashapada for obstructing his path and cursed the king to become ademon, which ultimately led to the destruction of all his brothers and himself. The Lineage Continues Despite the destruction of his sons, Vasistha’s lineage didnot end. Vasistha’sdaughter-in-law, Adrisyanti (widow of Shakti), was pregnant with Parashara,who went on to become a great sage and eventually the father of Veda Vyasa. In summary, Vasistha's sons were highly regarded, but theywere victims of a tragic, intense conflict between two great sages, rather thanbeing failures in their father's eye Who was sage Parasara? Sage Parasara was thegrand son of sage Vasistha, through his son Sakthi. Sage Veda Vyasa Sage Veda Vysa was hisgreat grandson of sage Vasistha. Vasistha and Arundhatielevated as stars Based on Hindu mythology and scriptures, Vashisht andArundhati are considered immortal in spirit and were elevated to the status of stars in the night sky. They are not merely considered dead, but are believed to haveattained a celestial, eternal status due to their immense virtue and devotion. Key details regardingtheir status: Star Identification: In Indian astronomy and mythology,Sage Vashisht is identified with the star Mizar and his wife Arundhati with thestar Alcor, located in the Saptarishi constellation (Ursa Major/Big Dipper). Divine Immortality: Due to Arundhati's exceptional loyalty and purity, the godsblessed them with immortality. Unlike other sages who might only be recognizedby a single star, Arundhati is specially accorded thestatus of being a star alongside her husband, often viewed together bynewlyweds to symbolize marital harmony. Symbolism in Marriage: They are considered the "ideal couple" in Hindutradition, and observing the Arundhati-Vashisht star pair during weddings is aritual meant to bring fidelity and trust to the new marriage. Inseparable Nature: According to some interpretations, when other, lessdevoted stars were absorbed, Arundhati remained, symbolizing that she and Vashisht donot get extinguished during the cyclical destruction of the world. Sage vasistha inMahabharatha Philosophical Teachings: Vashistha's teachings on morality, dharma, and the futilityof anger are, at times, referred to in the text, particularly in the Anushasana Parva. In the Context of Puranas(Multiple Births) According to the Puranic Encyclopedia, Sage Vasistha diedduring the sacrifice of Daksha and was born again from the sacrificial fire ofBrahma. His second earthly existence was later terminated due to a curse fromKing Nimi. Vasistha Ashram atGuwahati There is an Ashram dedicated to Vasishtha in Guwahati, India.This Ashram is situated close to Assam-Meghalaya border to the south ofGuwahati city and is a major tourist attraction of Guwahati. Vasistha temple Vasishtha's Temple is situated in Vashisht village, HimachalPradesh. Vasistha Cave Vashishtha Cave, a cave on the banks of Ganges at Shivpuri,18 km from Rishikesh is also locally believed to be his winter abode and housesa Shiva temple, also nearby is Arundhati Cave. End of posting about SageVasistha -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. 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