SAGEPULASTYA Dear friends,
The Saptarishis (seven great sages) of the current seventhManvantara, known as the VaivasvataManvantara, are Kashyapa, Atri, Vasistha, Vishvamitra, Gautama,Jamadagni, and Bharadvaja. These sages are responsible for preserving dharmaand transmitting Vedic knowledge during this 71-Mahayuga cycle. Key Details About theSaptarishis of the Current Manvantara: Kashyapa: Son of Marichi, known as a patriarch whocontributed to the creation of various beings. Atri: A renowned sage, son of Brahma, known for his wisdomand father of Dattatreya. Vashistha: A royal guru and author of several Vedic hymns,often associated with guidance to kings. Vishvamitra: Originally a king who became a sage throughintense penance, credited with creating the Gayatri Mantra. Gautama Maharishi: Known for purity, penance, and as thehusband of Ahalya. Jamadagni: Father of Parashurama (a Vishnu avatar) and aprotector of righteousness. Bharadvaja: A revered sage recognized for his vast knowledgeof Vedic science. While the Saptarishischange each Manvantara, Atri and Vasistha are commonly mentioned to haveretained their positions in various cycles. The Saptarishis of the first, Svayambhuva Manvantara, which included Marichi, Atri, Angiras,Pulaha, Pulastya, Kratu, and Vasistha. I have covered all the seven sages of Vaivasvatha Manvantara.This posting is about sagePulastya of Svyambhuva Manvantara. This posting is compiled from various websites and Googlesearch about sage Pulastya. This posting is intended to common members like me, and least intended to arguing and all-knowing members. R. Gopalakrishnan 17-03-2026 Introduction Sage Pulastya is a revered sage in Hindu mythology,recognized as one of the ten Prajapatis (progenitors) and mind-born sons of Lord Brahma.He is one of the Saptarishis (seven great sages) of the first Manvantara and isbest known as the grandfatherof the Rakshasa king Ravana and the Yaksha king Kubera. Key Details About SagePulastya: Lineage: Born from the ear of Brahma, he is a central figurein Puranic literature and the Ramayana. Family: He married Havirbhoo, daughter of Kardama Prajapati,and had a son named Vishrava. Descendants: Through his son Vishrava, he is the grandfather of Ravana, Kumbhakarna,Vibhishana, Shurpanakha, and Kubera. Spiritual Knowledge: He is credited with receiving the Vishnu Purana fromBrahma and communicating it to the sage Parashara. Legends: He is known for interceding on behalf of Ravana whenhe was captured by Kārtavīryārjuna and for his connection to the Govardhan mountain, which hecursed to shrink daily. Role: He is a symbol of immense wisdom and spiritual power,often associated with the creationof the Rakshasa and Yaksha races. Pulastya is also recognized as one of the major Gotra (lineage)founders in Brahmin tradition Pulastya is one of the ten Prajapati, and one of themind-born sons of Brahma in Hinduism. He is also one of the Saptarishi (Sevengreat sages) in the first age of Manu, the Manvantara. Origin The sage is said to have emerged from the ear of Brahma in the BhagavataPurana. Children The Ramayana describesPulastya's wedding to Manini, and the birth of his son, Vishrava. Once, Pulastya was engaged in austerities in the ashrama of TrinaBindu, on the slopes of Mount Meru. Even as he was engaged in a penance insolitude, he was disturbed by a number of youthfulmaidens, the daughters of other sages, naga maidens, as well as apsaras. They played their musical instruments and danced, seeking to divert his attention.Enraged, Pulastya declared that she among them who fell under his gaze wouldinstantly get impregnated. Terrified of the Brahmin's curse, the girls vanished. During this moment, Manini, the daughter of Trinabindu, who had not been present when thecurse was invoked, wandered near the sage, searching for her friends.She found herself pregnant, and rushed to report her condition to her father. The sage Trinabindu requestedPulastya to marry his daughter, and the latter agreed, and so thetwo lived together in the ashrama. Pleased with his wife's virtuous conduct,Pulastya declared that their child would inherit her virtue, and would be namedVishrava. Other wives of sagePulastya Sage Pulastya had other wives before or in addition to Manini (alsospelled Havirbhu ), who is famously the mother of Sage Vishravas. Prīti (Mother of Dattoli),Sandhyā and Pratīcī Havirbhu (Māninī) is widely known as the mother of SageVishravas, who was the father of Ravana. Another source mentions he married Havirbhu, the daughterof Kardama, who gave birth to Agastya and Vishrava. Therefore, Manini (Havirbhu) was not his only wife, andothers like Priti, Sandhya, and Pratīcī are listed in his lineage Grand sons- Vishrava went on to have two wives: one wasKaikesi who gave birth to Ravana, Shurpanakha, Kumbhakarna, and Vibhishana; andanother was Ilavida, andhad a son named Kubera. Pulastya also becomes thefather of Agastya. Sage Pulastya MeetingBhishma Once, Bhishma lived near the sacred source of the riverGanga, called Gaṅgādvāra. Pulastya makes his presence known before Bhishma,pleased by his austerities. Bhishma offers libations of water and pays hisrespects to the sage. Pleased,Pulastya instructs Bhishma regarding the path of dharma, whichitself had been taught to him by Brahma. Narrator He serves as the medium through which some of the Puranaswere communicated to the mankind. He received the Vishnu Purana from Brahma,and communicated it to Parashara, who made it known to mankind. Pulastya responds to the questions of Narada in the Vamana Purana by recitinglegends. Sage Pulastya-Lived inTreta Yuga and Dwapara Yuga Role in Treta Yuga(Ramayana Era): Pulastyais well-known as the grandfather of Ravana. He is the father of Sage Vishrava.Pulastya was renowned for his righteousness and scholarly knowledge, and the Rakshasa race is said to haveoriginated from his lineage (specifically through his son Vishrava). Role in Dwapara Yuga(Mahabharata Era): As aSaptarishi and a mind-born son of Brahma, Pulastya is considered a Chiranjivior a divine sage who transcends standard mortal time. The Saptarishis appear in differentyugas to guide humanity and preserve Vedic knowledge. He ismentioned in various Puranas, such as the Vishnu Purana and Bhagavata Purana,often engaging in or imparting knowledge, and his lineage continues to beprominent in epic narratives. Archaeology The partially excavated ancient archaeological mounds of ThehPolar in Kaithal district of Haryana in India is associated with Pulastya. Pulastya Gothra P ulastyais a notable 'Gotra' or Brahmin clan lineages in India. The gotra helps peopleestablish their roots as a part of Vedic traditions, not just family lineage Pulastya Gotra and Lineage Significance: Rishi Pulastya is a Gotra-pravartaka Rishi(founder of a family lineage). Lineage Connection: He was married to Havirbhu (or Preeti)and had sons named Agastya and Visrava (father of Kubera and Ravana). Progeny Identification: Through the unification of lines(sometimes through adoption or close association in scriptural accounts), theprogeny of Pulastya is often closely identified with the Agastya Vamsha. Pravara Sages(Pulastya Gotra) The Pravara is a list of ancestors that indicates thelineage. While specific, widely cited modern lists often merge Pulastya intoAgastya or Agastya-Kratu lineages, the core Pravara associated with the broaderPulastya/Agastya group includes: Pravara: Agastya,Mahendra, Mayobhava. Alternate/Linked Pravara: Agastya, Dardyachyuta, Dhavina. Note: In the context of Vedic practices, a Pravara indicatesthe rishis that bring glory to the family, often including Pulastya as thefirst or one of the three/five sages in a Traiyaarsheya or PanchaarsheyaPravara. Sage Pulastya andGovardhan mountain The legend of Sage Pulastya and the Govardhan mountainexplains the origin of theGovardhan Hill in Vrindavan and why it is currently a small hillock,despite once being a massive mountain. It is a tale of divine love, a promise,and a curse that led to the mountain settling in the sacred land of Vraja. The Request and Promise According to the Puranas, the sage Pulastya (one of thePrajapatis, or mind-born sons of Brahma) visited Mount Dronachala, the king of theHimalayas, who wasthe father of Govardhan. Pulastya was captivated by the beauty, vibrantflora, and serene atmosphere of the Govardhan Mountain and decided to take it with him to Kashi (Varanasi) to perform hismeditation. Dronachala's Dilemma: Dronachala, fearing a curse from thesage, reluctantly agreed to let his son go. The Condition: Govardhan, who was actually an associate ofKrishna, agreed to accompany the sage but on one condition:Wherever Pulastya placed him down, he would stay there forever. The Promise: Pulastya agreed not to put the mountain downuntil he reached his destination. The Journey and the Eventat Vraja As Pulastya was carrying the mountain, they passed throughVraja-mandala (near Vrindavan). Govardhan was filled with love for theplace because he knew it was the venue of Lord Krishna's future pastimes. The Trick: As they hovered over Vraja, Govardhan became incredibly heavy, and through his divine, mysticalpower, created an urgent need for Pulastya to answer the call of nature. The Violation: Desperate, Pulastya placed themountain on the ground near the Yamuna River to relieve himself, completely forgetting hispromise. The Curse When Pulastya returned and tried to lift the mountain, hefound that it would notmove, even with all his strength, due to the condition that had been set. The Curse: Enraged by the trickery, Pulastya cursed Govardhan, saying that from that day on, the mountainwould sink into the ground by the size of one mustard seed (or one sesame seed)every day. Significance andCurrent State Original Size: Legend dictates that 5,000 years ago, at thebeginning of Satya Yuga, Govardhan was 64 miles long, 40 miles wide, and 16miles high. Present State: The mountain has since reduced to a smallhillock, standing at its highest point only about 80 feet (25 meters) tall. Final Disappearance: It is believed that after 10,000years of Kali Yuga, the mountain will fully disappear, sinking completely intothe earth, just as the Yamuna River is predicted to dry up. The Hidden Meaning: The legend emphasizes that Govardhan isnot merely a mountain but a manifestation of Lord Krishna himself and a devotedservant who chose to stay in Vrindavan for Krishna's pastimes. I will continue innext posting -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/2083432703.1099369.1773727043526%40mail.yahoo.com.
