Word

Vasishtha

Sanskrit

वासिष्ठ

IAST

vāsiṣṭha

In General

Vasistha was the Rajguru of Ayodhya; famous as Rama's Guru. The Mind blowing conversation between Vasista and Rama were compiled as Yogavasista by Valmiki show his brilliance. Vasista was the great grandfather of Veda Vyasa. Vasistha was also a Vedic Rishi.

Veda

Vashisht and his followers are credited as the chief author of Mandala 7 of the Rigveda. Vashishta and his family are glorified in RV 7.33. Vasista also made contribution in Siksha Sastra, language study.

30 Suktas by Vasistha is found in A.V.

Purana

Vasistha was one of the Saptarishis in the present Manvantara. His wife is Arundhati, the daughters of Kardama Prajapati and Devahuti was also a good scholar. Vasistha ran a Gurukula School with large number of Students on the banks of river Saraswati and lived there with his wife Arundhati and seven children. Sage Sakti was eldest of his sons. Sage Parasara was the grandson of Vasishtha and son of Sage Shakti.

Sakti and all other sons of Vasista were eaten up by a Rakshasa in the form of a wolf, Vasistha and Arunthati were at the edge of ending their life. They made an attempt to end life but failed. At this tragic moment, Sakti’s pregnant wife Adrishyanti pleaded and requested them to live for unborn baby. Surprisingly, from mother’s womb the child (Parasara) started reciting Vedic mantras, and this has delighted Vasistha. Vasista is also said to be the co-auther of Vishnu purana.

Vashishta had in his possession the divine cow Kamadhenu and her child Nandini, who could grant anything to their owners. Kamadhenu provided Vasishtha, his family and students with all their needs for the sacrifices and worldly life.

Viswamitra enmity with Vashishta is very famous in Puranas. But Vasistha never compete with Viswamitra and always remained calm.

Once sage Vasistha cursed Nimi to depart from his body, Nimi responded with same curse upon Vasistha also.