Word

Aurva

Sanskrit

In General

Aurva was son of Cyavana Maharshi and Arusi, the daughter of Manu. He was grand father of Jamadagni and great grandfather of Parasurama. Aurva is famous as the guru of King Sagara of Ikshaku dynasty. He protected Sagara while in his mother’s womb when she was poisoned. Later when king Sagara became the king of Ayodhya he put his guru Aurva in high esteem.

Purana

Rishi Aurva is found reference in Mahabaratha, Vishnu Purana, Brahmanda purana, Bhagavata and Matsyapurana. Aurva was a descendent of Brighu. Once, Kritavira, a famous King of Hehaya dynasty was very devoted to his guru Brighu and he donated lavishly to Brighu. Other Kshatriya kings and descendents of Kritivarva donot liked Bargavas (descendents of Brighu ) becoming so rich. As a result of their enmity the Bargava fled for their life. Amoung those who fled were Arusi, wife of Cyavana. To save her pregnant child she hid him in her thigh. The boy was named so because he came out from ‘uru’, the thigh. Aurva bore a grudge against the Kshatriyas and started rigorous penance, but his forefathers persuaded him to withdraw from the austerities for good sense.