Other names: Ne Muni; Nemi. A legendary sage connected with the sacred history of Nepal. Nepalese chronicle traditions describe Ne Muni as the protector, or pāla, of the land; the name Nepal is explained in this tradition as the land protected by Ne, and he is also linked with the founding of an early ruling line.
Other names: Yājñavalkya. A profound Vedic sage and philosopher, described in Purana tradition as spending much of his life at the court of King Janaka, where he also served as priest. He is closely associated with the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, the Shukla Yajurveda tradition, and teachings on Atman, Brahman, and liberation. “’Yajnavalkya said, These three, O…
Other names: Bṛhadaśva; Brihadashva; Vrihadaswa. A sage who met Yudhishthira during the Pandavas’ exile and narrated the story of Nala and Damayanti to console him after the dice-game calamity. He is also associated with teaching Yudhishthira the mysteries of dice. “Vrihadaswa said, ‘O king, O thou that never fallest off, listen attentively with thy brothers,…
Other names: Durvāsas. A powerful and easily angered sage believed to be born from an aspect of Shiva. In the Mahabharata he grants Kunti the mantra by which she can invoke Devas for children, and his visit to the Pandavas becomes a famous test of hospitality and divine protection. “Illustrious Kuntibhoja–the son of his paternal…
Other names: Vasishtha; Vashistha; Vasishta. A mind-born son of Brahma, husband of Arundhati, chief among the Saptarishis, and priest of the Ikshvaku/Solar dynasty. His conflict with Vishvamitra over the divine cow Nandini is one of the major sage narratives showing the superiority of spiritual power over royal force. “Gandharva, saying, ‘I desire to hear of…
Other names: Upamanyu Rishi. A disciple of Ayoda-Dhaumya and a notable devotee of Shiva. Shaiva tradition remembers him as one who received the Ocean of Milk from Shiva and propagated Shiva’s doctrine; he also appears in narratives connected with Krishna’s own Shaiva vow. “And he answered, ‘Sir, I support myself by begging’. And his preceptor…
Other names: Asita; Devala; Asita-Devala. A sage associated with the Moksha and Yoga teachings of Jaigishavya in the Mahabharata. After witnessing Jaigishavya’s yogic powers, he sought instruction in the path of emancipation and became linked with teachings on detachment, truth, and spiritual discipline. “The highly blessed Devala then reflected upon the power of Jaigishavya and…