Other names: Parāśara; Parasara Muni. Son of Shakti and grandson of Vasistha, he is the father of Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa by Satyavati. He is revered as the narrator of the Vishnu Purana to Maitreya and as an important teacher of cosmic history and dharma. “Parasara said,–‘In former times I gratified Sarva, O king. I then…
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: Sthulakesha; Sthūlakeśa. A compassionate forest sage who found the abandoned infant Pramadvara, daughter of Menaka and the Gandharva Vishvavasu, and raised her in his hermitage. His guardianship makes him central to the Ruru-Pramadvara love and revival story. “”Formerly there was a great Rishi called Sthulakesa possessed of ascetic power and learning and kindly…
Other names: Upayaja; Yaja & Upayaja. Yaja and his brother Upayaja were Brahmana sages skilled in sacrificial rites. They performed the sacrifice for King Drupada from which Dhrishtadyumna and Krishnaa/Draupadi emerged, making them pivotal to the destiny of the Kurukshetra War. “Then Yaja promised to perform the sacrifice for the destruction of Drona. Then the…
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: Parvata Muni. A Devarishi closely associated with Narada in Purana and Mahabharata traditions. Stories of Parvata often involve pilgrimage, curses, and royal courts, especially narratives in which he and Narada appear together as divine wandering sages. Sanjaya said, ‘During the progress of that fierce and terrible battle, when the world was enveloped with…
Other names: Paulastya. One of Brahma’s mind-born Prajapatis and a Saptarishi of the first Manvantara. He is remembered as a transmitter of Purana knowledge, receiving the Vishnu Purana from Brahma and passing it to Parasara, and as the father of Vishravas, making him the ancestor of Kubera, Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Vibhishana. “O tiger among kings,…
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…
Other names: Cyavana; Chyavana Rishi. Son of Bhrigu and husband of Sukanya. In the Mahabharata he is restored to youth by the Ashvin twins, whom he then secures a share of Soma at King Saryati’s sacrifice, making him a major figure in stories of rejuvenation and divine medicine. “Lomasa said, ‘A son was born to…