SRI RAMACHARITRA MANJARI

SRI RAMACHARITRA MANJARI

(In this episode, Vishwamitra continues his penance and finally secures the status of Brahmarishi. Please read, comment and share. SDN)

Vishwamitra again did penance for ten thousand years. At the end of one years of penance, Lord Brahma appeared and confirmed that Vishwamitra had become a Rishi. Dissatisfied with that status, Vishwamitra continued his penance for not attaining the Brahmin state. At that juncture, he was sensuously attracted by an Apsara called Menaka and spent 25 years with her. He then realised that he had been diverted by the deities to abstain from penance. He made up his mind not to fall prey to sensuous feelings. He sent away Menaka and did not penance for a thousand years. He was then conferred the state of being Maharishi by Lord Brahma.

However, Vishwamitra became very desperate for failing to attain Brahmin status and continued penance for another thousand years. During this period, he used to stay in neck-deep water in the winter and was getting soaked during rainy season. He used to set fire in four directions and stand at the centre to do penance during summer. He undertook such a fierce penance, this time around. Devendra wanted to disturb the penance again and sent another Apsara named Rambha to accomplish the task. She arrived at the hermitage of Vishwamitra and tried to divert his attention. Vishwamitra quickly perceived that she had been deployed by Devendra to disturb the penance. Vishwamitra instantaneously cursed her “You will stay as a rock for ten thousand years and will then be relieved of my curse from a Brahmin engaged in deep penance.” As Vishwamitra became furious and even cursed Rambha, he lost the power of penance he had secured till then. He repented for that mistake and decided not to get angry under any circumstances.

With a firm mind, Vishwamitra did penance in utter silence for one thousand years. He remained without food during this period. After completing the thousandth year, he was about to consume food, when Devendra appeared in the guise of a Brahmin and pretended to be very hungry. Vishwamitra gave away the entire food. He did not get angry nor say a word. There was no feeling in his mind. He just gave away the food to the Brahmin and continued his penance for another thousand years. During this period, Vishwamitra checked his breath as well. The spirit of deities started receding due to this severe penance of Vishwamitra. Lord Brahma, along with other deities, appeared in front of Vishwamitra and said “you have now become a Brahmarishi.” Although delighted by this pronouncement by deities, Vishwamitra insisted that the status of Brahmarishi be confirmed by Vasishtha. Accordingly, Sage Vasishtha reiterated that Vishwamitra had truly become a Brahmarishi.