Maharishi Charusirsha

Maharishi Charusirsha

Other names: Charuśīrṣa; Alamvana’s son. A compassionate sage described in the Mahabharata as the son of Alamvana and a dear friend of Sakra/Indra. He performed severe penance at Gokarna for a hundred years and received from Sarva/Shiva the boon of one hundred long-lived, righteous sons.

“After this, the Rishi named Charusirsha, that dear friend of Sakra and known otherwise under the name of Alamvana’s son and who is filled with compassion, said,–I, in former days, repaired to the mountains of Gokarna and sat myself to practise severe penances for a hundred years. As the reward of those penances, I obtained from Sarva, O son of king Pandu, a hundred sons, all of whom were born without the intervention of woman, of wellrestrained soul, conversant with righteousness, possessed of great splendour, free from disease and sorrow, and endued with lives extending over a hundred thousand years” – The Mahabharata, Book 13: Anusasana Parva: Anusasanika Parva: Section XVIII

Similar Posts

  • Brahmarishi Agastya

    Other names: Agasthya; Āgastya. Born from the powers of Mitra and Varuna in a water pot, he is famed as the husband of Lopamudra and a composer of Vedic hymns. His legends include drinking the ocean to aid the Devas, subduing the Vindhya mountain, and destroying the asura Vatapi. “And, O Yudhishthira, in the country…

  • |

    Maharishi Kakshivat

    Other names: Kakṣīvat; Kaksivat; Kākṣīvat. A Vedic sage associated with the Angirasa line and described as a mantrakṛt, or maker of sacred hymns. Traditions identify him with the line of Dīrghatamas, and his daughter Ghosha is also remembered as a composer of Vedic verses. “And King Vali said, ‘O illustrious one, it behoveth thee to…

  • Maharishi Upamanyu

    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…

  • |

    Brahmarishi Vishvamitra

    Other names: Visvamitra; Kausika; Viswamitra; Kaushika. Son of Gadhi or Gathin, he was born a Kshatriya king and, through intense tapasya, attained Brahmana-hood and the status of Brahmarishi. His story is closely associated with Vasistha, Menaka, and the ideal that ascetic power can transform worldly status. “His (Vishwamitra) mouth is like unto a blazing fire;…

  • |

    Maharishi Ruru

    Other names: Ruru Rishi. Grandson of Chyavana and son of Pramati and the apsara Ghritachi. He is remembered for his devotion to Pramadvara, whom he revived by willingly giving half of his own life, and for continuing the Bhrigu lineage through his son Sunaka. “Bhrigu Rishi had a son, named Chyavana, whom he dearly loved….

  • Maharishi Vrihadaswa

    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,…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *