Word

Maitreya

Sanskrit

मैत्रेय

IAST

maitreya

In General

Sage Maitreya was son of Kusarava, and a disciple of sage Parasara. The Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra, a treatise on astrology was expounded by Rishi Parasara (the father of Veda Vyasa) to Rishi Maitreya. The Krishna Yajurveda recession by name Maitrayai sakha is under his work Maitreyani samhita. Maitrayani Upanishad and Maitrayani Brahmana are also by him.

Purana

Rishi Maitreya is popular in Bhagavata. After the Mahabharata War, Vidura went on pilgrimage in utter despair. During this time Vidhur meet Maitreya and ask many question; Maitreya’s intelligent answers to Vidura form part of Bhagavata Purana. In Vishnu Purana we can see Young Maitraya after completing his studies asking question to his guru Parasara. Maitreya Muni was a Vishnu devotee. Sage Maitreya was lucky to meet Sri Krishna just before leaving worldly abode

There is an instance in Mahabharat where Maitreya muni advice Dritharastra to give justice to Pandava. Dritharastra did not care the advice and Durodhana even ridiculed the Muni. Maitreya cursed Kauravas and left Hasthinapur.