Vasishtha is an ancient and highly respected Vedic sage, considered one of the seven great Rishis or sages known as Saptarishis. He is regarded as the primary author of the seventh Mandala of the Rigveda, and his family is mentioned in various other texts of the Rigveda and other Vedic scriptures. Vasishtha's contributions to the Vedic tradition are widely recognized and revered.
Vasishtha's teachings have had a significant impact and he is recognized as the founder of the Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy by Adi Shankara. Several texts, including the Yoga Vasishtha, Vasishtha Samhita, and some versions of the Agni Purana and Vishnu Purana, are attributed to him. He is also known for his legendary stories, such as his possession of the divine cow Kamadhenu and Nandini, who could fulfill the desires of their owners. Vasishtha is famous for his conflicts with sage Vishvamitra in Hindu mythology. In the Ramayana, he was the priest of the Raghu dynasty and a mentor to Rama and his brothers.
Vasishtha is a Sanskrit word that can be alternatively spelled as Vasiṣṭha, Vashishta or Vashisht. It means "most excellent", "best", or "richest" according to the Sanskrit language. Monier-Williams, a renowned Sanskrit scholar, has documented these alternative spellings in his works.
Vasishtha had a historical presence as a poet in the Rigveda and served as the purohita (chief priest) of Sudās Paijavana, who was the leader of the Bharata tribe. According to Rigvedic hymn 7.33.9, Vasishtha was a learned scholar who migrated across the Saraswati river to establish his school.
Vasishtha became the purohita of Sudās Paijavana after replacing Viśvāmitra Gāthina at some point in time. In later Hindu texts, it is depicted that Viśvāmitra and Vasishtha had a longstanding feud over the position of the Bharata purohita. However, some scholars have criticized this view for lacking internal evidence and projecting later views onto the Rigveda. During Sudās and Vasishtha's reign, the Tṛtsu-Bharatas emerged victorious in the Battle of the Ten Kings.
Sudās decisively won against a Puru-led alliance by the strategic breaching of a (natural) dyke on the Ravi river thereby drowning most of the opponents; the victory is attributed to the benevolence and strategizing of Indra, the patron-God of Bharatas, whose blessings were secured by Vasistha's poetics.
Vasishtha was married to Arundhati, and hence he was also known as Arundhati Natha, meaning Arundhati's husband. According to Indian tradition, this region was later believed to be the dwelling place of sage Vyasa along with the Pandavas, the five brothers from the epic Mahabharata. Vasishtha is often depicted in ancient and medieval Hindu texts as a sage with long hair tied into a bun, a neatly trimmed beard, a handlebar mustache, and a tilak on his forehead.
A Vashishtha statue in granite stone.
King Vishvamitra visits Vasishtha (left)
According to Hindu mythology, Vasishtha's parents were the gods Mitra-Varuna and the apsara Urvashi. In one story, Mitra and Varuna are performing a yajna when they become aroused by Urvashi and ejaculate into a pitcher, from which Vasishtha is born. Later scriptures recount three births for Vasishtha, including one where he is a Manasputra created by Brahma.
Vasishtha becomes the royal guru of Nimi, but curses him after he forgets to invite him to a yajna. In another story, Vasishtha tries to commit suicide by jumping into the Saraswati river, but the river splits into channels to prevent it.
Vasishtha is also known for his rivalry with Vishwamitra over the divine cow Nandini. Vishwamitra acquires weapons from Lord Shiva to attack Vasishtha and his hermitage, but Vasishtha baffles them all. The Dasharadnya Battle is also mentioned, which was fought after King Sudas appointed Vasishtha as his main priest instead of Vishwamitra. However, Vishwamitra later reconciles with Vasishtha after undergoing severe penances.
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Vasishtha teaching Rama
Vashishtha was a revered priest and teacher who served as the preceptor of the Ikshvaku kings clan. He also taught Manu, who was the father of Ikshvaku and the progenitor of Kshatriyas. Many other notable figures, including Nahusha, Rantideva, Lord Rama, and Bhishma, were also his disciples. When the Bharata king Samvarta lost his kingdom to the Panchalas, he sought Vashishtha's guidance. Under his tutelage, Samvarta was able to regain his kingdom and rule over the earth once again.
Vashishtha Temples
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Vashishtha Temple, in Vashisht village, Himachal Pradesh
There are several locations in India associated with Vashishtha that are popular among tourists and devotees. In Guwahati, there is an Ashram dedicated to Vashishtha located near the Assam-Meghalaya border, which is a popular tourist attraction. In Himachal Pradesh, there is a temple dedicated to Vashishtha located in Vashisht village. Another notable location is Vashishtha Cave situated on the banks of the Ganges in Shivpuri, near Rishikesh, which is believed to be his winter abode and also houses a Shiva temple. Arundhati Cave is also located nearby.
Vasishta Temple at Arattupuzha, Kerala
Vasishta Temple at Arattupuzha, Kerala
The Arattupuzha Temple, located in Arattupuzha village of Thrissur district in Kerala, is dedicated to Guru Vashishtha and is known as Arattupuzha Sree Dharmasastha. Every year, the Arattupuzha Pooram festival is celebrated here, during which Sri Rama visits from the Thriprayar Temple to pay his respects to his Guru at the Arattupuzha Temple.