Agastya Muni: The Story of Maharsi Agastya's Great Journey to the South

Maharsi Agastya was born after a Yadnya by Dewa Baruna and Dewa Mitra which gave rise to Dewi Urwasi, Maharsi Agastya was then born in an claypot. She was the seventh child of a Maharsi named Pulasta. Her birth was also accompanied by the birth of her twin named Wasista. Their birth from an earthen jug made them known as Kumbayoni Maitrawaruni which means born from a Claypot.

Maharsi Agastya is described as a wise Brahman, with a potbelly, short stature, and heavy beard. Maharsi Agastya spent his teenage years in Varanasi, a sacred Hindu village on the banks of the Gangga river, located in northern India. 

Maharsi Agastya, in Varanasi (Source: Private Collection)

Maharsi Agastya was eager to learn the scriptures, mantras, and magical weapons. He also delved into the lessons taught by his father, sourced from the Veda Scriptures. As time went by his skills and knowledge continued to increase, Maharsi Agastya managed to become one of the seven Saptarsi in the first Manwantara.

Maharsi Agastya then traveled to the Southern Region of India. Armed with only a bow and arrow on his way to Swargalokha, Maharsi Agastya saw a group of people hanging from a tree. These people were the ancestors of Maharsi Agastya and he was the reason behind their misery.

As Maharsi Agastya was unmarried and had no descendants, there was no one after him who could offer offerings to them. Maharsi Agastya knew that his destiny and first mission, was to have offspring.

Maharsi Agastya, Lopamudra, & Dhirdyasu (Source: Private Collection)

During his journey, Maharsi Agastya had a wife named Lopamudra. Lopamudra is known as Agastya's masterpiece made from the most beautiful parts of animals. However, before becoming his wife, Maharsi Agastya met King Widharbha. A king who was not blessed with a child.

Maharsi Agastya gifted Lopamudra, to King Widharbha to take as his daughter. However, when it was time for Lopamudra to get married, King Widharba was in a dilemma, he did not want his daughter to marry someone who was a nobody. Lopamudra told her father that she wanted to marry Maharsi Agastya, and Maharsi Agastya was arranged.

During their time as newlyweds, Maharsi Agastya seemed to be busy with his hermitage and forgot all about Lopamudra. Maharsi Agastya realized that he had forgotten his duty towards his wife and his ancestors. Maharsi Agastya then changed his attitude and decided to have a child with Lopamudra.

However, Lopamudra demanded sufficient wealth first for their child. Maharsi Agastya then went to meet King Shrutavarna, Maharsi Agastya was welcomed with respect in his kingdom, and then, he asked for help from the King. King Shrutavarna was ready to give her some wealth, but Maharsi Agastya realized that if she took the wealth, the people in her kingdom would suffer.

Maharsi Agastya had to continue his journey, he went to another kingdom and met Kings Vadhryashava and Trasadashu. However, he could not bring enough treasure for Lopamudra. Maharsi Agastya and the three kings all decided to meet a rich Asura named Illwala.

Illwala was an Ashura, who had once approached a brahmana and asked for a strong son, but the brahmin did not fulfill his request. From then on Illwala and his brother, Vattapi, hated any Brahmin who came to visit them. Vatapi would turn into a goat, Illwala then presented the goat to the brahmins who then tore open the brahmin's stomach. In this way, the two Ashura brothers killed dozens of brahmana.

When Maharsi Agastya and the Kings arrived at the Kingdom of Illwala, they were warmly welcomed. However, Maharsi Agastya knew about Illwala's intentions. he ate the entire mutton dish, Vattapi. Then Illwala realized Maharsi Agastya's true power. He promised to give Maharsi Agastya whatever he wanted.

After returning, Lopamudra then agreed to have a child. A son named Dhirdyasu was born to them and thus Maharsi Agastya's ancestors were freed from their circumstances and ascended to the Heavenly Heavens when the child was born. Maharsi Agastya had to leave his wife and return to his life as a wise ascetic.

The Gods are asking Maharsi Agastya for help (Source: Private Collection)

One day, Dewa Indra killed Asura Vrittra, then he wanted to leave his kingdom due to the guilt of killing a Brahmana. The followers of the Brahmana known as, Kalakaya hid in the ocean. They planned the destruction of the universe, and realized that the Maharsi were the most powerful people in the universe.

Dewa Indra asked Dewa Vishnu for advice, He said the only way to kill them was to destroy the ocean, go to Maharsi Agastya, he was the only one capable of doing so. Thus the Gods approached Maharsi Agastya and conveyed their request.

Maharsi Agastya agreed and together they all went to the edge of the ocean, Maharsi Agastya began to drink the entire ocean and the Gods watched in awe. The Kalakayas could not defend themselves and they perished.

As he was about to continue his journey through Vindhya, the mountain peaks in Vindhya immediately bowed, reduced their size, and paid their respects to Maharsi Agastya. However, there was one mountain, named Meru that stood proudly. The height of Meru blocked the sunlight on earth and the Gods became worried as the sunlight did not reach all parts of the earth.

Maharsi Agastya then wanted to test the mountains. But before that, Maharsi Agastya said that he would go to the South and the mountains in Vindhya should remain in the same posture until he returned. Maharsi Agastya then established an Ashrama in South India and stayed there. While there, the mountains never raised their peaks and remained in the same posture, including Mount Meru.

The story goes that the entire world visited the Himalayas, when Dewa Shiva performed a marriage with Dewi Parvatti. This caused an imbalance that caused the Earth to tilt to one side. Dewa Shiva asked Maharsi Agastya to go south and restore the balance of the Earth. Maharsi Agastya was a little disappointed, he also wanted to take part in the Celestial Event.

Dewa Shiva then blessed Maharsi Agastya, that Dewa Shiva and Dewi Parvatti would appear whenever and wherever, when Maharsi Agastya wanted to see them. He also gave her Divya Dristhi to see the Heavenly Event in the Himalayas regardless of where he lived, and Maharsi Agastya rushed to the South.

Maharsi Agastya Meditating (Source: Private Collection)

In the story of Maharsi Agastya, he is often regarded as an incarnation of Dewa Shiva. Maharsi Agastya developed the Tamil language derived from Dewa Shiva, and is considered one of the ancient Siddhara sages. He is one of the Saptarsi who contributed to the evolution of literature and grammar, the most.

Maharsi Agastya's story has left an indelible mark on Rama and all of us. Her stories, conveyed through scriptural epics and folklore, are very apt and emphasize the values of knowledge, humility, and the teaching of truth. Maharsi Agastya, is a legend, a spiritual figure who will always be remembered.