Stories From The Bhagawatham - The Quest To Become A Brahmarishi - Part 3

 

After some more Tapas, Kaushika had earned the title of ‘Rishi” from Lord Brahma. But he wasn’t satisfied, because it was still below the title and position of a Brahmarishi. He started his penance again, and every time, he started with more passion and more intensity.

The always-insecure Indra was now beginning to worry about the powers that Rishi Kaushika was accumulating through his penance. He summoned the celestial apsara Menaka who was endowed with divine beauty.

“Go down to the earth,” Indra told her, “and disrupt this sage’s intense penance.” Menaka agreed, although half-heartedly, for all the worlds knew the power of the Rishi’s infamous temper and Tapas.

Unfortunately for Kaushika, one look at Menaka distorted his senses and he fell for her like an ordinary mortal. The penance and struggle to become a Brahmarishi lay forgotten. But only for the time-being.

When ten years had passed with Menaka, Kaushika woke up suddenly one day, as if from a dream. He understood that the Devas had sent Menaka to thwart his Tapas.

Grieving the loss of ten precious years, Kaushika left Menaka and after arriving at another place, he started his Tapas yet again with great intensity. This time, Brahma conferred upon him, the title of Maharishi, the greatest of all Rishis. Kaushika asked him, “Have I become one who has conquered all his senses?” To this, Lord Brahma replied that he hadn’t become such a rishi. For a while, disheartenment struck the sage. But Maharishi Kaushika didn’t give up. He simply resumed his Tapas.

This time, Indra sent another apsara named Rambha to allure the Maharishi. When Rambha disturbed the sage’s penance, the Maharishi opened his eyes in anger. One look from him and Rambha turned into stone.

Deeply regretting his bout of anger, Maharishi Kaushika decided to never let his emotions rule over him. He let go of all anger from his mind and proceeded to another place to begin another round of severe Tapas.

With every new Tapas, Maharishi Kaushika’s intensity increased. His penance started disturbing the very equilibrium of the universe.

Indra panicked and rushed to Brahma. “If you do not give him what he wants, he will soon have the power to destroy the three worlds. Look at him. He is glowing with the merits of his Tapas! Please fulfill his desire and end his penance.”

Brahma appeared before Maharishi Kaushika and addressed him thus, “Brahmarishi, we welcome you! May you prosper always!”

Brahmarishi Kaushika prostrated before Brahma. “Dear Lord, I have only two wishes. First, that the Vedas should acknowledge me as a Brahmarishi. Second, your son, Rishi Vashisht should also accept me as a Brahmarishi.”

Sage Vashishta arrived there and with a smile, he said, “No one can ever doubt that you are a great man and none less than a Brahmarishi!”

After paying his respects to Rishi Vashisht, Brahmarishi Kaushika left to join the mortal world. As the first thought in his mind was to do good to the world, he attained the name Vishwamitra, the friend of the Universe!

Om Namo Bhagawathe Vaasudevaaya!