Vasiṣṭha
Vedic age · Saptarṣi · Ṛgveda, Maṇḍala 7
Vasiṣṭha is one of the most revered of the Saptarṣi. The seventh book (maṇḍala) of the Ṛgveda is traditionally attributed to him and his family, and the Mahāmṛtyuñjaya mantra (Ṛgveda 7.59.12) belongs to this book. His wife Arundhatī is honoured as the ideal of a faithful wife; at weddings the couple is shown the star Arundhatī beside Vasiṣṭha in the Great Bear.
In the Rāmāyaṇa he is the kulaguru, the family priest and teacher, of the Ikṣvāku kings of Ayodhyā, and Rāma’s teacher. The Yoga Vāsiṣṭha, a long dialogue on the nature of the mind and liberation, is presented as his teaching to the young Rāma.
Tradition tells that King Viśvāmitra once tried to take Vasiṣṭha’s wish-fulfilling cow Nandinī by force. The sage’s spiritual power defeated the king’s whole army. Humbled, Viśvāmitra resolved to win that power himself through tapas — the beginning of the long rivalry that ended in reconciliation.
Saptarṣi · Ṛgveda Maṇḍala 7 · Wife: Arundhatī · Guru of Śrī Rāma · Yoga Vāsiṣṭha