Of two discoveries in cosmology reported last month (Feb 2016), the one
pertaining to the first evidence of Gravitational waves released by
colliding black holes
<http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/ripples-in-space-time-may-enable-us-to-hear-stars/195727.html>
received
all round attention. But the other discovery about the Great Attractor
<http://www.universetoday.com/113150/what-is-the-great-attractor/> has a
greater relevance from the point of view of Vedic cosmology. Great
Attractor is a location in the southern sky that is hidden from our view
because it is on the other side of our Milky Way galaxy. The special
interest in this Great Attractor is due to the reason that our Milky Way
along with many galaxies that we see around are rushing towards this region
in the sky. We are accelerating towards this region which is about 150
million light years away, but we could not know what is pulling us or
attracting us. The name Great attractor is due to this pulling effect. But
now a team of researchers have identified hidden galaxies
<http://www.sci-news.com/astronomy/hidden-galaxies-great-attractor-gravitational-anomaly-03623.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BreakingScienceNews+%28Breaking+Science+News%29>
in
this region that are causing the “Great” attraction.
The discovery of the great attraction potential of this group that has
more or less ‘sealed’ the fate of our Milky Way galaxy to move only towards
the southern direction runs counter to the idea of Hindu Thought that south
is for *pithrus* (departed ancestors getting into the cycle of rebirth)
while north is for exit into the world of Devas and of no return to
*samsara *(cycle of rebirth). One may argue that such a Hindu idea may be
about spiritual realms and the physical movement of the worlds may have
nothing to do with that.
In this context two ideas of the Hindu Thought on cosmology stand
out distinctly with reference to directions. *One is that our Universe is
moving towards the star Margashirsha in Taurus*. This is the Eastern
direction. In other words, our Universe is moving towards eastern
direction. The other idea is that groups of stars (Nakshatra vamsham) and
worlds (lokas) were created by the sage *Vishvamitra
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vishvamitra> (friend of the cosmos) *in the
southern direction which was just opposite to the worlds of Devas in the
North.
The direction (South) of our Milky Way galaxy and the direction
of the movement of our growing Universe in the east look a bit complex. But
a deeper understanding of what lies beyond the Great Attractor and behind
the Milky Way (from the recent discoveries) gives a newer understanding of
the legend of Trishanku <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trishanku> and how
that legend has been skilfully woven to indicate a cosmic truth. It also
reveals that the ultimate direction of Milky Way may not necessarily be
south, thereby concurring with the Hindu views.
Our Milky Way Galaxy <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milky_Way> is part of a
local group of many galaxies that move around the Virgo Super cluster
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgo_Supercluster>. This super cluster of
many galaxies can be identified by the Virgo
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgo_(constellation)> constellation.
Interestingly, this constellation coinciding with Solar transit occurs in
the solar month of Virgo (called as Purattasi in Tamil) when the important
annual ancestor ceremony called Pithru Paksha
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitru_Paksha> is observed. That means the
Hindus have recognised this constellation (Virgo) and the direction where
it is seen, as the place where departed souls go. In reality our earth
along with the Sun and Milky Way galaxy is moving towards this
constellation. {CAUSE OF VISWAMITRA AND Trishanku} The Hydra - Centaurus
Super cluster <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydra-Centaurus_Supercluster> is
a main cluster in this group that facilitates the attraction making our
galaxy and all the others in our vicinity to fall towards it like water
flowing towards a pit.
The entire mass of super clusters along with the great Attractor is called
as Laniakea <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laniakea_Supercluster> which
means “immeasurable Heaven” in Hawaiian language. The above picture
condensed into the cluster of Laniakea is shown below. The dense clusters
of stellar mass are seen in green. The blue ones are voids. The blue dot is
the Milky Way in this picture. We are in the border region of Laniakea and
the filaments show that we may be moving towards the central dense region
of Laniakea. On the left is Laniakea (Great Attractor) cluster with
filaments showing the movement of galaxies towards it. Just adjacent to it,
on the right is Perseus- Pisces cluster with filaments showing movement of
galaxies towards it. Where they meet, the filaments may go either way. That
means galactic material could go either way. As seen from the earth, the
Laniakea is in the south and Pisces is in the northern direction. Their
interaction can be understood better by the following diagram.
*https://youtu.be/rENyyRwxpHo
<https://youtu.be/rENyyRwxpHo>* [VIDEO] One may argue that directions such
as north and south are meaningless in the cosmos. But in Vedic parlance any
item can be identified to have directions. The front is head (east), the
back is tail (puccham) which can be equated with west. The right side is
south and the left side is north. And there is central body (refer 2nd chapter
in *Taittriya Upanishad* for more details in this regard). As per this, our
existence in this galaxy is moving towards east (head) and the swirling
movement could be from north to south (Pradakshina). As per Vedic Thought,
the star Mrigashirsha signifies the direction in which we are moving
forward. This star is in Taurus sign and can be seen like the ‘three eyes’
of a coconut, on one side of Orion constellation.
<https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8ILb_2itbteEj7xEq2aqgDXKUNqJFjEiSZc-KWn9nBeKpB7cxeB2aqO_W0EoBlh3N1y8jO8lJdORJ6-_EqeHYeKqLw1ofxHXlYPh1kyy3E7KAaK6QR6DtF2PsPvLS8tMnssP5h2E_nk/s1600/pic.png>
The three consecutive stars, Rohini, Mrigashirsha and Arudra are lorded by
the Trinities, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
<https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPCik_AjbcTitLG2ymH959R-o-GC-1ClzpcV0htGPNDiIgstjUnxKPEPyEns8dxs2evh5JqGzP0n17jbUA6ca-zwnANsmUWzgW4_c-hF_P8DOT9MZ-UDofPsJMJni3IXwdln2BU4_5sE/s1600/pic.png>
Of these, Mrigashirsha shows the ‘mArga’ or the route towards which we are
going. This is the eastern direction. The constellation of Taurus lies in
this direction.
A recent research
<http://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.in/2016/02/black-holes-banish-matter-into-cosmic.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+TheArchaeologyNewsNetwork+(The+Archaeology+News+Network)#.Vtbqu_l97IU>
found
out that voids contain the seeds of new stars or in other words, they
contain matter from which gas, dust, stars and galaxies would evolve later.
This description perfectly fits with our Hindu Thought that our Universe is
moving forward in the direction of a massive Void in the direction of
Taurus. As per Vedic Thought our Milky Way must be moving towards Taurus
void as Mrigashirsha lies in that direction only. While surging towards
Taurus Void, we are making a Pradakshina from north to south and therefore
we seem to be moving towards Laniakea in the south. As per the Vedic
thought, the ultimate exit point is in North, also known as the Swarga or
world of Devas. The path leading to that is known as Devayana. It is in the
northern direction and identified with the location where we find the
constellation of Pisces. So our world in the Milky Way galaxy must
ultimately travel towards north and not south. It is in this context, the
story of Trishanku <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trishanku> and Trishanku
Swarga where he is in upside-down position (falling from North to South)
has relevance.
*The legend of Trishanku.*
The legend of Trishanku
<http://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/baala/sarga57/bala_57_frame.htm> is
explained in 4 chapters of Bala khanda in Valmiki Ramayana. The legend is
unique in itself for, there is a narration of creating stellar worlds in
the southern direction, as a replica of the stellar worlds of the North
dominated by the *Sapta Rishi mandala* or the Big Dipper
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Dipper> towards which the earth’s axial
rotation is oriented.The ultimate message of that story is that Trishanku
was pushed down from the North and Vishwamitra created a world for
Trishanku in the South and ordained that all the stars in the south would
circumambulate Trishanku. In cosmological terms, this can happen only if
the south pole of the earth is oriented towards Trishanku, so that the
stars in the south would seem to be circumambulating Trishanku! In other
words, only if Trishanku was made (or personified as) the South Pole star
just like Dhruva <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhruva>, born to Uttanapada
and Suniti was made as the Northern pole star, this can happen. But the
story of Trishanku is not explicit about it being the pole star. *As has
always been the way with the Hindu myths, the etymology of the terms and
names in the legend help in unlocking the hidden meaning.*
Let us first take the name Trishanku. Trishanku was a noble ruler of
the solar dynasty. The name Trishanku is a derivate of three-shanku or
three ‘sins’ or 'fears' or 'darts' or blemishes. [page 4 coconut 3 dots in
picture] The first blemish was father’s curse that came when he misbehaved
with his father. The second blemish was to have killed the milch cow of
Vasishta. The third blemish was to have eaten unsanctified meat of his
kill. All these three blemishes made him known as Trishanku – the one who
carries three blemishes. That these three blemishes are common to any human
being can be known from the name of his father, which is “Suryaaruna”. This
name is closer to mean Surya’s ruNa (Surya’s debt) than Surya+ aruna. All
of us are sons of Surya, the Sun. We are being taken along by the Sun in
its journey guided by the Sapta rishis. In this way the Sun is our father
and we are all indebted to it. In the course of our birth and countless
rebirths in our journey along with the Sun, we incur three debts. One is
the *debt to our biological parents, which we incur birth after birth*. The
second is incurred when we extract the wealth of the “Milch cow of
Vasishta”. This cow is known as kamadhenu which is a euphemism for
prosperity of every kind. In our human birth *we strive for a variety of
riches and in the course of getting them we incur a number of sins
knowingly or unknowingly*. A majority of our so called Prarabhda karma are
related to material conquests. This is the second blemish which we
mindlessly accumulate. The third blemish refers to the sins in acquiring
our food. It must *be sattwic food where no suffering is done to any being
while collecting our food and eating it*. Here is hidden the reference to
the need to go for vegetarian food and shun killing a life to make our
meals. This third blemish is carried my many human beings. So all these 3
blemishes make one lose the power and entitlement to soar to the heavens or
Deva loka or the exit point of samsara (rebirth). As per Trishanku story,
he could not go the Heavens with his mortal body. This actually refers to
the three blemishes he (or anyone for that matter) carried. These three
blemishes bind one to the cycle of rebirths. Without having shed these
three blemishes, it is not possible to go to Heavens which is an abode or a
state of no-return-to-earth to discharge karma. Trishanku was not freed of
the three blemishes and this is indicated by the description of him having
a haggard body. The presence of the three blemishes gave him the name,
Trishanku.
Such a Trishanku could not go to the heavens. Whatever be his other
merits, his so called surge towards spiritual growth had to take a U-turn
and he fell down. This is told as Trishanku falling upside down. This
refers to the direction north to south as North is the location of Heavens.
In the upside down position, the head would be forward. Always the
direction of the head shows the direction in which we are going. The upside
down position means Trishanku (us with the 3 blemishes) was heading towards
South, the direction that indicates Pithru loka from where we keep
shuttling between earthy life and pithru life and end up in rebirths only.
It is at this juncture, Vishwamitra makes interference. He stops
Trishanku from falling down to the South completely.
*The location of Trishanku*
Vishwamitra was dissuaded from continuing the Creation of worlds as
creation is the sole prerogative of the Almighty (Brahman). Vishwamitra
relented only after he extracted a promise that Trishanku would remain as a
star and that all those who want to go to heavens must go round Trishanku.
The word used here is ‘anuyaasyanthi’ अनुयास्यन्ति *(VR 1-6-32).* It means
to strive like him (Trishanku). In the context of a star, it means to go
around the star of Trishanku or circumambulate that star or that region of
the sky.In literal terms this means similar rotation of the sky around a
point in the South Pole, or to be in circumpolarity around the southern
pole star. Valmiki Ramayana (*1-60- 20,21,22*) says,
ṛṣhi madhye sa tejasvī prajāpatiḥ iva aparaḥ || 1-60-20
sṛjan dakṣhiṇa mārgasthān sapta ṛṣhīn aparān punaḥ |
nakṣhatra vaṃśha paraṃparam asṛjat krodha mūrchhitaḥ || 1-60-21
dakṣhiṇām diśham āsthāya muni madhye mahāyaśhāḥ |
"Like the other Creator that resplendent Vishvamitra, himself staying among
sages, has replicated Southerly Ursa Major in southerly direction. And
still remaining amidst of sages that highly reputed sage Vishvamitra
further started to replicate the stereotyped stocks of stars sequentially,
resorting to the southern hemisphere, as he is convulsed in anger at Indra.
[1-60-20b, 21, 22a]
Ursa Major is a prominent constellation in the northern sky, containing
seven bright stars in a pattern variously called the Plough, the Big
Dipper, or Charles's Wain. Also called Great Bear. In Latin it is, Ursa=
greater (she-) bear. The Indian name to this is: sapta R^ishi maNDala Hence
Vishvamitra adopted the opposite direction, namely southern direction, for
his Creation, which shall be in direct opposition to the natural creation
adopted by Almighty. From this point onwards, anything artificially or
synthetically created, cloned, or replicated from natural item acquired the
name of vishvaamitra SR^iSTi 'Vishvamitra's cloning,' including the present
day hybrids. Whether this Ursa Major like constellation is still available
in southern hemisphere - is a point left to astronomers, or stargazers.
tataḥ parama saṃbhrāntāḥ sa ṛṣhi saṃghāḥ sura asurāḥ |
viśhvāmitram mahātmānam ūchuḥ sa anunayam vachaḥ || 1-60-24
"The gods are highly startled at Vishvamitra's creation, and they along
with demons and with observances of hermits addressed the great-souled
Vishvamitra with placatory words. [1-60-24]
ayam rājā mahābhāga guru śhāpa parikṣhataḥ |
sa śharīro divam yātum na arhati eva tapo dhana || 1-60-25
" 'Oh great-fortunate Vishvamitra, this king Trishnaku is damned by his
mentor, hence oh, ascetically wealthy sage, he is not at all eligible to go
to heaven with his mortal body.' So said gods to Vishvamitra. [1-60-25]
teṣhām tat vachanam śhrutvā devānām muni puṃgavaḥ |
abravīt su mahat vākyam kauśhikaḥ sarva devatāḥ || 1-60-26
"On hearing that sentence of those gods, the eminent saint Kaushika spoke
this highly laudable sentence to all of the gods. [1-60-26]
sa śharīrasya bhadram vaḥ trihankoḥ asya bhūpateḥ |
ārohaṇam pratijñātam na anṛtam kartum utsahe || 1-60-27
" 'Let safety betide you all. I have promised to this king Trishanku that
he will ascend to heaven with his mortal body, and I am not interested to
make it untrue. [1-60-27]
svargo astu sa śharīrasya triśhaṃkoḥ asya śhāśhvataḥ |
nakṣhatrāṇi cha sarvāṇi māmakāni dhruvāṇi atha || 1-60-28
yāvat lokā dhariṣhyanti tiṣhṭhanti etāni sarvaśhaḥ |
yat kṛtāni surāḥ sarve tat anujñātum arhatha || 1-60-29
" 'Let there be eternal heaven to Trishanku with his mortal body. Next, as
along as the worlds remain, let all of these stars and galaxies I have
created also remain eternally in their places as my creation. It will be
apt of you all gods to accede to this.' So said Vishvamitra to gods.
[1-60-28, 29]
evam uktāḥ surāḥ sarve prati ūchuḥ muni puṃgavam |
evam bhavatu bhadram te tiṣhṭhantu etāni sarvaśhaḥ || 1-60-30
gagane tāni anekāni vaiśhvānara pathāt bahiḥ |
nakṣhatrāṇi muni śhreṣhṭha teṣhu jyotiḥṣhu jājvalan || 1-60-31
avāg śhirāḥ triśhaṃkuḥ cha tiṣhṭhatu amara saṃnibhaḥ |
"When all the gods are addressed thus they replied the eminent saint
Vishvamitra saying, 'so be it! Safe you be! Let all the created objects
prevail in their respective places. Those amazing and numerous stars you
have created will remain in firmament, but outside the path of stelliform
of Cosmic Person. Trishanku will also remain in the circle of stars you
created, but upside-down, for Indra's indict cannot be annulled, and he
will be gleaming like a star and similar to any celestial. [1-60-30, 31,
32a]
"Even the benign-souled Vishvamitra, when reverenced by all gods, that
great-resplendent sage without stirring himself from among the sages said
to all gods, 'Agreed!' [1-60-33]
Trishanku - and his universe
Trishanku is the son of one Suuryaaruna and his original name is Satyavrat
and this name Trishanku is his pseudonym. He got this because three sins
are attached to him tri shanka-s as said in another work Harivamsha. There
it is said: pituH shaapa aadi doShena | guru dogdhre vadhena ca |
a-prokShito prayogaat ca | trividhaa tat vyatikramaH | evam triiNi asya
shankuuni | One by his father's damnation - when he misbehaved in his
kingdom, his father being a righteous king exiles him to a wretched place.
When his father was exiling him, Trishanku took umbrage at Vashishta,
because Vashishta did not come to his rescue. The second blemish is due to
the killing Vashishta's milch cow, knowingly. Trishanku kills that cow,
when he did not get any food for the day to feed the son of Vishvamitra. At
that time, he had to protect the wife and three sons of Vishvamitra, as
Vishvamitra has gone away to a distant place for his ascesis, leaving his
kingdom and family. Then Trishanku comes to the rescue of hs family. With
that gratitude, now Vishvamitra tries to requite this king in sending him
to heaven. The third damnation is for his usage of unsanctified meat of his
kill. Thus, Trishanku is the one who carries 'three social blemishes' on
his head, and added to these is the curse of Vashishta, in making him as a
profaner.
Further, a god or teacher cannot be dragged to one's side or his wishful
thinking, but they are to be attained or appeased with constant faith and
servitude. guroH aliika nirbandho na kartavyaH kadaacana | anumaanya
prasaaH ca guru kruddho yudhiShTara | shiShyo gurau narashreShTa
pratikuulam na sa~ncaret | viShNu puraaNa And if god created the cosmos, a
man trying to duplicating it, is as good as going against that writ of that
god. Vishvamitra no doubt built many space stations and started cloning
gods, leave alone earthly species, but he is forestalled, because he wanted
to break the system from within, in which he is and by which he mastered
all this expertise. It is as good as cutting the branch of a tree on which
he is sitting. Absolute insolence is absolutely condemnable. Hence,
Trishanku is still dangling upside down in his so-called heaven.
One can never miss Alpha Centauri in the Southern sky. During summer
months (presently after midnight), one can see the beautiful alignment of
the Northern Sapta Rishi mandala with Alpha Centauri in the southern sky. Known
as the Big Dipper <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Dipper>, the Northern
Sapta rishis make an alignment with stars Swati (Arcturus) and then Chitra
(Spica) in Virgo constellation across the sky. Chithra will be more or less
over head viewed from South India. Between Chithra and Alpha Centauri in
the South, the sky looks dim (Dhuma / Lunar path / Southern path?) and
without prominent stars. Now it has been found out to be the region of
Great Attractor with many hidden galaxies. (Our Milky Way stars hide the
vision at this region). For naked eye observation, one can see this region
almost star less and then stars appearing in the south of which Alpha
Centauri is prominent. The following diagram is what we see with naked eye
on a summer night. In the region of Alpha centauri, the southern Sapta
Rishi Mandala must be present. Though Alpha Centauri is the nearest star to
the earth, it is seen as part of the larger Centaurus super cluster which
is very far away. Closer home we are attracted by Virgo Super cluster.
Beyond that the Great Attractor with a mass of 1000 trillion Suns is
attracting us. Beyond that the more massive Hydra Centaurus Super cluster.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydra-Centaurus_Supercluster>is attracting
us towards the core of Laniakea. Seen from the earth, Alpha Centauri looks
like a part of the Hydra Centaurus group. Next to Alpha Centauri is the
easily identifiable Southern Cross <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crux>,
also known as Crux. According to popular belief, this Southern Cross is
Vishwamitra! As per the legend of Trishanku, there must be a Southern
Sapta Rishi Mandala that circumambulates Trishanku. However by the
reference of outside the Vaishvanara, Alpha Centauri can never be a pole
star of the South. That it had never been a pole star is true when we take
into consideration the 54 degree arc envisaged by the Vedic society.
Vishwamitra,
the Crux is a pointer to the present Southern Pole Star. This pole star is
known as Sigma Octantis <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigma_Octantis>.
Just as how the northern sky seems to revolve around the Northern Pole
star, Polaris <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polaris> (Dhruva Nakshatra),
the southern sky revolves around this southern pole star. And Crux is seen
in the Lokaloka (Milky Way) cluster.
The southern pole star is pointed out by none other than Crux, the
constellation that is identified as Vishwamitra. The four starred Crux
cannot be the regarded as the Sapta Rishi Mandala, because as the name
indicates, there must be 7 prominent stars, somewhat like Northern Sapta
ishi mandala (Big Dipper in the constellation of Ursa Major) in the
Southern Sapta Rishi Mandala. The above picture is what we see presently.
There is another interesting entity in this picture. It is Canopus
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canopus> which represents another important
sage, namely Agasthya. According to a myth
<http://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/6/18/chapter-view> given in Srimad
Bhagavatham, Vashishta and Agasthya were common sons of Varuna and Mitra,
the 10th son of Aditi. The myth says that when Varuna and Mitra saw
Urvashi, the celestial nymph, they discharged semen. It was collected in an
earthen pot and from the semen grew up Vashishta
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vashistha> and Agasthya
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agastya>. They represented the two halves of
the pot. This could mean Vashishta and Agasthya representing two halves or
hemispheres of the sky as they both are circumpolar stars of the North and
the South respectively.
The background Centaurus is also shown in the above picture. Somewhere from
this Centaurus, the sages have deduced the southern Sapta Rishi Mandala. As
it keeps rotating around the southern pole, it seems to go round Trishanku,
owing to its location within Centaurus and towards the south in the inner
side.
Trishanku is regarded as part of the Centaurus group that forms the core of
Laniakea towards which we are moving. (Though Canopus (Agasthya) was once
considered as part of Centaurus group (Scorpius- Centaurus Association
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scorpius%E2%80%93Centaurus_Association>),
today it is not treated so by the astronomy community.)
A probable design of the southern Sapta Rishi Mandala that Vishwamitra
identified (created as per the myth) could have been as follows. With South
Pole marking the path of Vaishvanara, the Trishanku references point out to
a turnaround of Centaurus / Laniakea in the region or direction of
Trishanku which means that those looking for life in outer space can shift
their focus away from this direction.
K Rajaram IRS 16326
On Mon, 16 Mar 2026 at 09:59, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty <
[email protected]> wrote:
> *SAGE VISHWAMITRA PART-6-**Last part*
>
> *Continuing from Part 5*
>
>
>
> *TRISANKU SWARGAM*
>
> Trishanku Swarga, created by Sage Vishwamitra using his intense yogic
> powers, is a suspended*, alternative heaven created in the mid-air space
> between Earth and the celestial Svarga*. It was created to honour a vow
> to King Trishanku after Indra rejected him, leaving him hanging upside
> down as a constellation.
>
> Key Details About Trishanku Swarga:
>
> Origin: King Trishanku (formerly Satyavrata) wanted to enter heaven in his
> mortal body, *a request denied by Vasistha and the gods.*
>
> The Conflict: *Vishwamitra used his merit to send Trishanku up*, but
> Indra cast him down for being a mortal sinner.
>
> Creation of a Parallel World: Determined to fulfil his promise, *Vishwamitra
> stopped Trishanku’s fall and used his power to create a new universe,
> including stars and gods, in the sky.*
>
> The Result: The gods pleaded with Vishwamitra to stop, fearing his power. A
> compromise was reached where Trishanku remained suspended in this new,
> temporary "heaven" (often associated with the Southern Cross
> constellation).
>
> Symbolism: It symbolizes a state of being in limbo—hanging between two
> worlds, belonging to neither.
>
> Therefore, the Trishanku Swarga did not vanish; it remains as a suspended,
> intermediate paradise for the King, often referred to as a "swarga" of his
> own..
>
> *The Creation of the "Second Heaven"*
>
> According to the *Bala Kanda of the Valmiki Ramayana,* Vishwamitra's
> creation was a mirror of the existing cosmos:
>
> *New Celestial Bodies*: He began creating a new set of stars, planets,
> and even a "Southern Saptarishi" (Ursa Major) to populate the southern
> hemisphere.
>
> A New Indra: In his fury against the gods, Vishwamitra even intended to
> create a new Indra and a new set of Devas to rule this realm.
>
> The Compromise: Alarmed by this disruption of cosmic order, the gods
> reached a compromise. *Trishanku would remain in this new heaven*, but he
> would hang upside down as a constellation.
>
>
>
> *Vishvamitra and Gayathri mantra- Addition*
>
> According to Hindu tradition, he is stated to have written most of the
> *Mandala
> 3 of the Rigveda*, including the Gayatri Mantra (3.62.10). The Puranas
> mention that only *24 rishis since antiquity have understood the whole
> meaning* of —and thus wielded the whole power of — the Gayatri Mantra.
> Vishvamitra
> is supposed to have been the first, and Yajnavalkya the last.
>
> Sage Vishwamitra is considered the seer or creator of the Gayatri Mantra
> in new chandas, who, after intense penance, gave this sacred mantra to the
> world through the Rig Veda (third Mandala). *This mantra is dedicated to
> the deity Savita, and is considered the supreme mantra for purification of
> the soul, enlightenment of the intellect, and knowledge*. It has 24
> letters.
>
> Key points about Vishwamitra and Gayatri Mantra:
>
> Seer/Creator: Sage Vishwamitra received and revealed the Gayatri Mantra
> after years of penance.
>
> Mention in Rigveda: This mantra is found in the third Mandala (Sukta 62,
> Mantra 10) of the Rigveda.
>
> *Deity: The deity of Gayatri Mantra is Savita (Sun, the nurturer of the
> universe).*
>
> Significance of the Mantra: This mantra is dedicated to leading the
> intellect on the right path and removing ignorance, which consists of ॐ,
> भुर्भुभुः स्वह, तत्सवितुर्वरेन्यम, भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि, धियो यो नह
> प्रचोदयत्।
>
> Penance of Vishwamitra: This story also tells how Vishwamitra attained
> knowledge through his meditation and penance and became Brahma Rishi.
>
> The Gayatri Mantra is also called the "Mother of the Vedas
>
> Gayatri Mantra is a verse from a sukta of Rigveda (Mandala 3.62.10). *Gāyatrī
> is the name of the Vedic meter in which the verse is composed.*
>
> Gayatri mantra is repeated and cited very widely in Vedic literature and
> praised in several well-known classical Hindu texts such as Manusmriti
> ("there is nothing greater than the Savitri (Gayatri) Mantra.", Manu II,
> 83),Harivamsa and Bhagavad Gita.
>
> The mantra is an important part of the upanayana ceremony for young
> males in Hinduism and has long been recited by dvija men as part of their
> daily rituals. Modern Hindu reform movements spread the practice of the
> mantra to include women and all castes and its recitation is now widespread.
>
> *Valmiki Ramayana*
>
> Most of the stories related to *Vishvamitra's life is narrated in the
> Valmiki Ramayana*. Vishvamitra was a king in ancient India, also called
> Kaushika (descendant of Kusha) and belonged to *Amavasu Dynasty*.
> Vishvamitra was originally the King of Kanyakubja (modern day Kannauj). He
> was a valiant warrior and the great-grandson of a great king named Kushik.
>
> Valmiki Ramayana, prose 51 of Bala Kanda, starts with the story of
> Vishvamitra:
>
> There was a king named Kusha (not to be confused with Kusha, son of Rama),
> a mind born son (Manas Putra) of Brahma and *Kusha's son was the powerful
> and verily righteous Kushanabha*.
>
> *One who is highly renowned by the name Gaadhi was the son of Kushanabha
> and Gaadhi's son is this great-saint of great resplendence, Vishvamitra*.
> Vishvamitra ruled the earth and this great-resplendent king ruled the
> kingdom for many thousands of years.
>
> *Vishnu Purana and Harivamsha*
>
> His story also appears in various Puranas; however, with variations from
> Ramayana. Vishnu Purana and Harivamsha chapter 27 (dynasty of Amaavasu)
> of Mahabharata narrates the birth of Vishvamitra.
>
> According to Vishnu Purana, Kushanabha married a damsel of Purukutsa
> dynasty (later called as Shatamarshana lineage - descendants of the
> Ikshvaku king Trasadasyu) and had a son by name Gaadhi, who had a daughter
> named Satyavati (not to be confused with the Satyavati of Mahabharata).
>
> *Kusha and His Lineage*
>
> Kusha, the son of Lord Brahma, had numerous children, including
> Kushanabha. *Kushanabha had 100 daughters, all of whom were married to
> Brahmadatta*. Despite this, he lamented the absence of a son.
>
> To address this, he performed the *Putra Kameshti Yaga,* a Vedic ritual
> seeking a male heir. In response, his father, King Kusha, granted him a
> boon, assuring him that he would have a son who would bring honour to the
> lineage. *This son was Gadhi, who later became the father of Sage
> Vishwamitra.*
>
> Since Vishwamitra belonged to the bloodline of Kusha, he was also known as
> Kaushika. By birth, he was a Su-Kshatriya, signifying a noble lineage of
> emperors.
>
> *The Birth of Satyavathi and Her Marriage*
>
> *Gadhi had only one daughter, Satyavathi*, renowned for her exceptional
> virtues and known as Sugunala Rasi, meaning a woman of the highest
> qualities. Many kings sought her hand in marriage due to her reputation.
> Among them was Richika the son of Sage Bhrigu, belonging to the *Brahmin*
> caste. However, as Gadhi was a Kshatriya, he adhered to the Vedic
> tradition, *which allowed Brahmins to marry Kshatriya women but required
> a ritual gift, known as Kanyasulkam, for the bride's family.*
>
> Gadhi stipulated that the suitor must present 1,000 white horses, each
> glowing like moonlight, with a distinctive single black ear resembling a
> black lotus. Ruchika, relying on his ascetic power, approached *Varuna*,
> the deity of water, in Varuna Loka, a celestial realm described in the
> Mahabharata. Varuna, though not the regional ruler, possessed the ability
> to grant lineage and posterity. He agreed to assist Ruchika and instructed
> him to perform a ritual on the banks of the Ganges River in Kanya Kubja,
> *where
> the horses would emerge from the waters.* The location, known as Ashwa
> Theertham, serves as a testament to this event. Ruchika fulfilled Gadhi’s
> demand and married Satyavathi.
>
> *The Divine Bows and Ruchika's Legacy*
>
> During this period, two legendary bows were created—one was granted to
> Lord Shiva, later given to King Janaka, while the other was bestowed upon
> Ruchika by Lord Vishnu. The Vishnu bow, was unbendable by anyone, known as
> Nyasam.
>
> Following his marriage, Ruchika entered the Grihastha Ashrama (householder
> phase). Sage Bhrigu later visited his son’s household, where Satyavathi
> received him with utmost reverence, adhering to the Vedic tradition of
> treating her father-in-law with the same respect as her father. Impressed,
> *Sage
> Bhrigu offered her a boon. She requested a son for herself and one for her
> father, Gadhi, ensuring the continuation of both family lineages.*
>
> *Sage Brighu preparing sacred pots of rice not Richika - Variation*
>
> *The Birth of Vishwamitra and the Role of Sage Bhrigu*
>
> Sage Bhrigu prepared two sacred pots of rice (Havishyannam) infused with
> Vedic mantras. *One was designated for Satyavathi and the other for her
> mother.* The intention was that Satyavathi’s son would be a Brahmin,
> devoted to penance and spiritual pursuits, while Gadhi’s son would be a
> Kshatriya ruler. However, due to an inadvertent switch of the pots, the
> destinies of the unborn children were altered. Consequently, Vishwamitra
> was born to Gadhi’s wife, rather than to Satyavathi.
>
> Realizing the error, Satyavathi sought to rectify it. Sage Bhrigu granted
> her a boon ensuring that *her son would be born as a grandson instead.* *As
> a result, Sage Jamadagni was born as Satyavathi’s son.* In turn,
> Jamadagni’s son was Lord Parashurama, an incarnation of Vishnu.
>
> References
>
> The events described originate from texts such as the Mahabharata (Aranya
> Parva, Shanti Parva), Bhagavata Purana, and Brahmanda Purana.
>
> *Harishchandra's Yanja*
>
> While undertaking a penance, sage *Vishwamitra helps a boy named
> Shunashepa who has been sold by his parents to be sacrificed at
> Harishchandra's yagna to please Varuna.*
>
> Harishchandra's son Rohit did not want to be the one sacrificed to Varuna,
> as was originally promised to Vishwamitra. Instead Sunashepa was
> selected.
>
> A devastated and terrified Shunahshepa falls at the feet of sage
> Vishwamitra , who is deep in meditation and begs for his help
>
> *Vishwamitra teaches secret mantras to Sunashepa*. The boy sings these
> mantras at the ceremony, is blessed by Mitra and Varuna and ceremony is
> completed.
>
> *Descendants of sage Vishwamitra*
>
> Vishvamitra had many children from different women. *Madhuchhanda* was
> also a composer of many hymns in the Rigveda.
>
> According to the Mahabharata, Sushruta, an ancient Indian physician and
> surgeon, was one of his sons.
>
> Ashtaka, who was born from Madhavi, was successor to his kingdom.
>
> Shakuntala was born from the apsara Menaka. She was the mother of
> Bharata, who became a powerful emperor as well as an ancestor of Kuru kings.
>
> *Vishwamitra Gothra*
>
> Vishvamitra is one of the eight main gotras of Brahmins. *All Brahmins
> belonging to Kaushika or Vishvamitra gotra are believed to have descended
> from Sage Vishvamitra.*The distinction can be found from the respective
> pravaras
>
> Vishvamitra, Aghamarshana, Kaushika
>
> Vishvamitra, Devarata, Owdala
>
> Vishvamitra, Ashtaka
>
> Vishvamitra, Maadhucchandasa, Dhananjaya
>
> Kaushika is one of the pravara gotras of Vishvamitra gotra among Brahmins.
> bout
> sage Vishwamitra
>
> Historical and ritual influence
>
> Gayatri’s ritual centrality: Because of his association with the Gayatri
> mantra, Vishwamitra indirectly shaped daily practices (Sandhyavandanam,
> upanayana rites) and the use of the Gayatri as a universal mantra across
> varnas in later periods.
>
> *Temple and regional cults*: Numerous temples and local traditions
> celebrate Vishwamitra — for instance places associated with his penances or
> with episodes from regional retellings of the Ramayana keep his memory
> alive in living ritual.
>
> End of posting.
>
>
>
> *Compiled and posted by R. Gopalakrishnan on 16-3-2026*
>
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