Vishwamitra: A Warrior's Odyssey to Enlightenment

Kaushika is a descendant of a king. He was a valiant warrior who was the great-grandson of a king named Kusha. One of Kusha's four sons was Kushanubha, who performed the Puthrakameshti ceremony and got a son named Gadhi as a result. Kaushika, or Vishwamitra, was the son of King Gadhi. Kaushika succeeded his father and ruled well. He was much loved by his people.

Illustration of King Kaushika (Source: Personal Collection)

Once upon a time, King Kaushika and his powerful army rested at Resi Wasista's dormitory. With great courtesy Resi Wasista welcomed King Kaushika. Resi Wasista showed him all the beauty and prosperity of his hermitage, including his magical ox named Sabala. The ox could create anything his master wanted, like a spring that never ran dry. Seeing the magic of the ox, Kaushika wanted to own it. Then he mobilized his army to seize Sabala.

In response, Resi Wasista told Sabala to create an army. Soon, a battle broke out between Kaushika's army and the army created by Sabala. As Kaushika's army was pushed back, Sabala's army grew. Finally, Kaushika admitted defeat and left Resi Wasista's dormitory.

After handing over the throne to one of his sons, Kaushika went to the Himalayas and performed austerities in worship of Lord Shiva. After Shiva appeared because he was pleased with Kaushika's asceticism, Kaushika requested that he obtain a magic weapon. Shiva granted the request and gave the magic weapon to Kaushika.

Illustration of Wiswamitra against Wasista (Source: Personal Collection)

With this magic weapon, Kaushika came back to the place of Resi Wasista. After mobilizing all the weapons he had acquired through asceticism, Kaushika was unable to conquer Wasista because with only a stick called Brahmadanda.

Wasista was able to disable all of Kaushika's magic weapons, including the Brahmastra which is considered the deadliest weapon in Hindu Mythology. Feeling that Lord Shiva's boon was in vain, Kaushika excused himself and left Wasista's dormitory in shame.

After his defeat in the Wasista dormitory, After his defeat in the Wasista dormitory, Kaushika went into ascetic worship of Lord Brahma to acquire the title of Brahmaresi. However, he often failed because he could not restrain his anger. After realizing his mistake, Kaushika resumed a more strenuous asceticism. Lord Brahma finally appeared and gave him the title “True Rishi”.

Illustration of Menaka seducing Wiswamitra (Source: Private Collection)

Once upon a time, the strength he gained through asceticism was depleted after helping King Trisangku, Kaushika perform asceticism in Pushkara. The gods sent Menaka to seduce Kaushika. Enchanted, Kaushika and Menaka had a daughter named Sakuntala. When she awoke, Kaushika was angry, but Menaka begged for forgiveness, explaining that she was only following orders.

Kaushika did not curse Menaka and let the angel return to heaven, but she was disappointed that her years of asceticism were wasted. Eventually he left Pushkara and headed for the Himalayas to perform more strenuous asceticism. After years of strenuous asceticism in the Himalayas, Lord Brahma appeared and gave Kaushika the title “Maharesi”. However, Kaushika was still disappointed with the title he had received so he performed asceticism again.

Illustration of Ramda smiling at Wiswamitra (Source: Personal Collection)

Seeing Kaushika's determination, the gods were stunned. Then they sent the nymph Ramba to shake Kaushika's devotion. Accompanied by Lord Kama (love) and the spirit of spring, Ramba went to seduce Kaushika. They created a beautiful atmosphere in Kaushika's presence. Disturbed, Kaushika opened her eyes and saw an angel smiling in front of her.

But Kaushika was disappointed that this anger had destroyed the purity of his years of asceticism. Disillusioned, she went to the jungles of the eastern Himalayas and undertook arduous asceticism there.

After years of strenuous asceticism in the Himalayas, Lord Brahma appeared and gave Kaushika the title “Brahmaresi”. But Kaushika was still disappointed with the title he had earned so he performed asceticism again. He also changed Kaushika's name to Vishwamitra, which means “everyone's friend” because of his boundless love. Wiswamitra was happy to hear this, but he was still not satisfied unless he heard first-hand that Resi Wasista recognized him as Brahmaresi.

While he was still skeptical, Resi Wasista suddenly appeared before him with a friendly smile and embraced Wiswamitra. He also acknowledged that Wiswamitra was a Brahmaresi. At that very moment, the enmity between Wiswamitra and Wasista disappeared and turned into friendship.