Epics in Imprints-1.pdf - Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan

A
white lotus blushes crimson, while
greeting the dawn. As the sun
hesitatingly lights up the east, it
blossoms, and the cool breeze carries its
ethereal fragrance in all directions. The
bee gratefully accepts the invitation to
partake of its ambrosia. For a nature lover
or a poet the sight may trigger ecstasy. But
those who are pre-occupied may not even
notice this wondrous sight. And
unfortunately for those, whose attention
is only on the stagnant muddy swamp,
they will see the lotus as an extension of
the mud! The muddy swamp is a haven for
magnificent lotuses. A seed protects a
mighty banyan in its bosom. An egg is a
refuge for a peacock with all its exotic
feathers. A formless foetus has in it a
thinking, conscious and sensitive human
being. But those, who cannot look beyond
the smallness of the seed egg or the mud
in the swamp, are unable to behold the
wonderful tree or the bird or the lotus. And
yet, the seed, egg and the foetus, have to
negotiate a long and arduous journey to
fulfill their respective destinies.
The life of Viswamitra—one of the
seven greatest Rsis, represents the
pilgrimage of the soul from the lower
needs like greed, anger, ambition and
lust, to the higher ones like effort,
sacrifice, compassion and love, on to the
highest fulfillment of enlightenment.
Viswamitra for many of us represents
anger and lust or ambition and
vengeance. Unfortunately, we overlook his
industry, perseverance and dedication for
achieving his self-set goals. We ignore his
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FEBRUARY - AUGUST 2003
PILGRIMAGE OF VISWAMITRA FROM
GREED TO ENLIGHTENMENT
T.RAGHUNANDAN
sacred Gayatri, the greatest contribution,
which has the power not only to soothe
the mind, but also to take us towards
enlightenment. His pilgrimage makes an
interesting story if not a study, that can
be an inspiration for transforming the socalled
ordinary life into life divine.
King Kausika visits sage Vasistha, who
extends a very rich reception in his
honour. Surprised to find richness and
taste in the humble hermitage, Kausika
discovers the source of the hospitality to
be Nandini—the divine cow, which is
capable of fulfilling all the requirements
of the sage. Provoked by greed, Kausika
asks Vasistha to give him the cow in lieu
of thousand milch cows. Sage Vasistha
explains that the cow is not his and cannot
belong to any one, as its presence in the
ashrama is for propitiating the Devas—
divine beings. Proud of his royal
privileges, Kausika wants to own the cow
by force. Nandini, who can protect herself,
creates wild people to destroy the king’s
trained army! Managing to escape with
life, Kausika vows to return after acquiring
powers to match those of Vasistha and
Nandini. Enlightened Vasistha, who can
see the potential of Kausika, instructs
Vamadeva—one of his disciples to initiate
him into the Upasana of Rudra—the God
of arms and warfare, so that Kausika can
fulfill his need to attack the ashrama!
Giving up his kingdom and family,
goaded by revenge, Kausika retreats to
Himalayan foothills and meets Vamadeva
who helps him acquire the arms from