S Kutsa Tsri

1.SAGE KUTSA Sage Kutsa is one of the Saptarshies of the current (7th) Manvantara. Each sage has his own speciality. Sage Kutsa stands for sweetness. It is said that out of the 82 suktas in the Rudram, about 65 are the outpourings of Sage Kutsa. It is also stated that sage Kutsa explained the allegories of the first laws of celestial bodies. Name of Kutsa is found mentioned in the Vedas in about 40 to 50 contexts. They show how the greatness of this Sage is recognized in the Vedas. The Prokshana Mantram goes as follows “Om Bhoo: Om Bhuvaha: Om Suvaha”. It is said that water is a purifier. The water gets the ability to purify anything that it touches. This power is rested upon water through the Prokshana Mantram. The Taittriya Samhita states that the Mantra Drishtas of the above mantra are none other than sages Atri, Bhrigu & Kutsa. So sage Kutsa is a contempory of sage Atri. 1.1 Meaning of Kutsa Kutsa is indeed a very strange name. The word Kutsa means in Sanskrit faultfinding One who engages in scolding or belittling others. Perhaps he was very exasperated with the vagaries of the world and was vocally expressing his displeasure. 1.2 Kutsa become frog Once this great Sage made a mistake in pronouncing a Veda mantram and, therefore, was cursed to become a frog in the well. When he atoned for his lapse, Veda Purusha told him that even while being a frog, he would remember his previous birth and will be relieved of the curse if he did penance in the Pushkarani and prayed to Soundararaja PerumaaL for 48 days. This he did and was cured of his curse and regained his former self. The place he prayed is today’s Anbil. The PushkaraNI is known as Mandooka PushkaraNi. (Authority: Tiruvarangam TirukkOyil (pages 73-74) of the Sri Ranganatha Swami Devastanam, Srirangam). ANBIL is situated 5 miles east of Lalgudi, in Tirchy District, Tamil Nadu). 1.3. Kutsa mistaken for Indra by Indrani herself Rig Veda 4.16.10 mentions a conversation between Sage Vaamadeva and Indra, which illustrates how Kutsa and Indra were not only friends but also were looked alike. Once Indrani herself could not differentiate between them. She had to ascertain from the horses mouth of Indra himself! Kutsa was the son of Rajarshi Ruru. Once at the request of Kutsa, Indra helped in decimating Ruru’s enemies and invited Kutsa to Indraloka to celebrate the victory. It was then that the above incident happened. 1.4 Kalidasa and Kutsa Kalidasa commences the 5th Sargam of his Raghuvamsa with an invocation to Kutsa. It was due to the blessings of Sage Kutsa that fame of Raghu Vamsa was firmly established. 2. SAGE ATHREYA Sage Athreya was a descendent of Sage Atri. 2.1- Athreya visit Indra’s court Sage Atreya had done many yajnas and was able to go to any place he liked. One day in course of his wanderings he came to the court of Indra, which fascinated him by its beauty and festivities. He thought that no other place could be more pleasant and he wanted it with all his heart. His modest hut could not please him any more. He called his wife and told, ‘what sort of rubbish are you giving me to eat? Does it taste good? Your fruits and vegetables cannot come anywhere near the sweet items I ate at Indra’s court. 2.2 Athreya order Viswakarma Atreya called Viswakarma and asked him to make his hermitage like Indra’s palace. Athreya told Viswa karma-“If you do not do as I tell I shall reduce you to ashes by curse.The buildings, the court, the gardens, the elephant, the horse, the chandelier, the music, the food, and the courtiers – all these must be as they are in Indra’s palace”. Afraid of the curse, Viswakarma forthwith built a palace, which could rival Indra’s palace in the place of his hermitage. Much pleased sage Athreya patted Viswakarma -‘This is the very thing I wanted’. 2.3 Demons attack palace of Athreya After some time however the demons began to frown at the place and said, ‘Look, that fellow Indra has left the heaven and built a home on our earth.Let us go and give him a good thrashing for killing our Vritra’. Shouting, ‘Kill Indra! Kill Indra!’ the demons in a body laid that palace under siege.The sage was happily reclining on his new bed provided by Viswakarma.But when he heard the shouts of the demons he became mortally afraid.Within minutes using all kinds of weapons the demons reduced the place to a heap of rubbles.The sage himself did not escape some minor injuries.He came out trembling to the demons and told them with folded hands, ‘I swear, I am not Indra; I am a sage, a Brahmin and a very poor and innocent man. Why are you so angry with me?’ ‘Then why have you are posing like Indra?Remove your trappings at once’, said the demons. ‘At once I am doing as you say”. He replied to Demons and the demons left keeping the sage with a sigh of relief. 2.4 Viswa karma makes a hearty laugh Athreya thought- at one moment I lost my brain and did all these foolish things.I shall never do it again.Viswakarma was summoned again and was told by the sage to replace the palace with his modest ashram.He told Viswakarma – ‘Do it soon, or I shall die in the hands of these demons.’ Realising that the sage was in grave danger Viswakarma readily obeyed and the huts and the forests reappeared where a short while ago a palace stood.However before he left Viswakarma enjoyed a hearty laugh at the predicament of the sage. 3. SAGE MANDAVYA Mandavya was a great sage. The king wrongly punished him by being impaled as the chief of robbers who had clandestinely hidden their stolen goods in a corner of his hermitage when he was in deep contemplation. 3.1 Mandaya curse Lord Dharma Lord Dharma gave him this punishment for having tortured birds and bees in his childhood. At this Mandavya cursed Dharma to be born on earth. Mandavya argued with Dharma in what way an innocent child’s actions are taken as sin by him. On account of the curse Dharma was born as Vidura, to the servant maid of Ambalika with sage Vedavyasa. 3.2 Mandavya story told by Cho in Engae Brahminan serial The story was quoted by Cho in his serial citing all children activities are to be considered innocent. 4. SAGE JAHNU He was a sage descended from Pururavas. All knows the story of decent of Ganga from heaven to earth on account of the penance by King Bhageeratha. Adamant Ganga flowed with much force.She was not interested to come to earth. She came down as compelled by Lord Vishnu. 4.1 Sage Jhanu get disturbed The sage was disturbed in his devotions by the passage of the river Ganga brought by Bhageeratha and consequently he drank up its waters. 4.2 Bhageeratha request sage Jhanu to release Ganga The sage afterwards relented, and allowed the stream to issue from his ear; hence Ganga is called Jahnavi, daughter of Jahnu. 5. SAGE MANDA-KARNI Manda karni was a sage who dwelt in the Dandaka forest. His story is told in the Ramayana to have formed a lake, which was known by his name. His austerities alarmed the Gods. 5.1 Indra send five apsarases to Lure Mandakarni It is told sage Mandakarni was”standing in a pool and feeding on nothing but air for 10,000 years” To distract him Indra sent five Apsarases to beguile him from his penance. Recollect even distracting Viswamithra and Sukracharya Indra sent only one apsaras- Menaka and Jayanthi respectively. 5.2 Indra succeeds They succeeded, and became his wives, and inhabited a house concealed in the lake, which, from them, was, was called Panchapsaras. 6. NARA-NARAYANA They were two ancient Sages, born to Dharma Deva and Ahimsa. The Vamana Purana has a legend about them, which is alluded to in the drama of Vikramorvasiyam by Kavi Kalidasa. 6.1 Indra sends Apsaras to lure sages Nara-Narayana Their penances and austerities alarmed the gods, so Indra sent apsaras to inspire them with passion and disturb their devotions. 6.2 Birth of Urvasi Sage Narayana took a flower and placed it on his thigh. Immediately there sprung from it a beautiful apsaras whose charms far excelled those of the celestial apsaras send by Indra. 6.3 Sage Narayana send Urvasi along with Apsaras The action of sage Narayana made the apsarases return to heaven filled with shame and vexation. Narayana sent this apsaras Urvasi too to Indra with them. Since the apsaras was produced by the sage from his thigh (uru) she was called Urvasi. 7. SAGE SAPTA-VADHRI Saptha vadhri was a Vedic Sage. Sapta-vadhri had seven brothers who determined to prevent his having family life with his wife. So they used to shut him up every night in a large cage, which they locked and sealed, and in the morning they let him out. 7.1 Aswini Devas help sage Sapthavadhri Sage Saptha vadhri was a devotee of Aswini Kumars whom we already know through princess Suganya -and sage Chyavana story. He prayed to the Aswini devas to help him. 7.2 Aswini devas help the sage Aswini devas pleased with his prayer enabled him to get out of his cage during the night and to return to it at daybreak. Later sage Spthavardhi made a hymen about it, which says, “Aswins, by your devices sunder the wickerwork for the liberation of the terrified, imploring Sage Sapta-vadhri.” 8 SAGE RICHIKA Sage Richika was a descended from sage Bhrigu. He was the son of sage Urva. He was father of sage Jamadagni. He was an old sage. His wife was princess Sathyavati (Not sage Parasara- Satyavati. It is another Satya vati sister of sage Viswamithra). 8.1 Sage Richika demands Princess Sathyavati The story of sage Richika is told in the epics Maha-bharata and Vishnu Purana Princess Satyavati was the daughter of Gadhi, king of Kanya-kubja. She was sister of our famous sage Viswamithra.Unwilling to give her to an old a man, King Gadhi demanded from the sage Richika 1000 white horses, each of them having one black ear. The condition as we know was very tough. 8.2 Sage Richika pray Lord Varuna Richika made a prayer to Lord Varuna. Pleased with his prayer God Varuna gave him the horses as required. Sage Richika presented the horses before king Gadhi. King Gadhi had to consent now to give princess now. 8.3 Sage Richika gains Princess Satyavati With the help of God Varuna so sage Richika gained his wife. In due course the born to them became sage Jamadagni. 8.4 Payasa get exchanged Sage Richika desired a devoted Brahmin as his son. So he prepared a special payasa for his wife Satyavati. At the same King Gadhi’s queen too desired to have a valiant son. Accordingly sage Richika made another payasa for his mamiar too. It was common on those days to have pregnancy for mother and daughter at the same time. The queen mamiar felt the sage wood have added specials in the payasa made for the daughter. So she gave the payasa made for her to Satyavati- her daughter. Mamiar simply exchanged the payasas. 8.5 Effect of Payasa exchange It is told on this account king Kousika later turned as sage Viswamithra and sage Jamadagni was born with royal nature. 8.6 Sage Viswamithra- mama to sage Jamadagni On account of this sage Viswamithra became mama to sage Jamadagni. 9. SAGE SANKRITHI Sankrithi was the Grandson of Sage Vashishta, and the son of Sage Shakthi. Sage Shakthi we have already read was the father of Sage Parasara with Satyavathi/ Matsya Gandhi. We already read Parasara was the father of Sage Veda Vyasa who wrote Mahabharatha and father of Pandu and Dhritharashtra. 6.1 Indra sends Apsaras to lure sages Nara-Narayana Their penances and austerities alarmed the gods, so Indra sent apsaras to inspire them with passion and disturb their devotions. 6.2 Birth of Urvasi Sage Narayana took a flower and placed it on his thigh. Immediately there sprung from it a beautiful apsaras whose charms far excelled those of the celestial apsaras send by Indra. 6.3 Sage Narayana send Urvasi along with Apsaras The action of sage Narayana made the apsarases return to heaven filled with shame and vexation. Narayana sent this apsaras Urvasi too to Indra with them. Since the apsaras was produced by the sage from his thigh (uru) she was called Urvasi. 7. SAGE SAPTA-VADHRI Saptha vadhri was a Vedic Sage. Sapta-vadhri had seven brothers who determined to prevent his having family life with his wife. So they used to shut him up every night in a large cage, which they locked and sealed, and in the morning they let him out. 7.1 Aswini Devas help sage Sapthavadhri Sage Saptha vadhri was a devotee of Aswini Kumars whom we already know through princess Suganya -and sage Chyavana story. He prayed to the Aswini devas to help him. 7.2 Aswini devas help the sage Aswini devas pleased with his prayer enabled him to get out of his cage during the night and to return to it at daybreak. Later sage Spthavardhi made a hymen about it, which says, “Aswins, by your devices sunder the wickerwork for the liberation of the terrified, imploring Sage Sapta-vadhri.” 8 SAGE RICHIKA Sage Richika was a descended from sage Bhrigu. He was the son of sage Urva. He was father of sage Jamadagni. He was an old sage. His wife was princess Sathyavati (Not sage Parasara- Satyavati. It is another Satya vati sister of sage Viswamithra). 8.1 Sage Richika demands Princess Sathyavati The story of sage Richika is told in the epics Maha-bharata and Vishnu Purana Princess Satyavati was the daughter of Gadhi, king of Kanya-kubja. She was sister of our famous sage Viswamithra.Unwilling to give her to an old a man, King Gadhi demanded from the sage Richika 1000 white horses, each of them having one black ear. The condition as we know was very tough. 8.2 Sage Richika pray Lord Varuna Richika made a prayer to Lord Varuna. Pleased with his prayer God Varuna gave him the horses as required. Sage Richika presented the horses before king Gadhi. King Gadhi had to consent now to give princess now. 8.3 Sage Richika gains Princess Satyavati With the help of God Varuna so sage Richika gained his wife. In due course the born to them became sage Jamadagni. 8.4 Payasa get exchanged Sage Richika desired a devoted Brahmin as his son. So he prepared a special payasa for his wife Satyavati. At the same King Gadhi’s queen too desired to have a valiant son. Accordingly sage Richika made another payasa for his mamiar too. It was common on those days to have pregnancy for mother and daughter at the same time. The queen mamiar felt the sage wood have added specials in the payasa made for the daughter. So she gave the payasa made for her to Satyavati- her daughter. Mamiar simply exchanged the payasas. 8.5 Effect of Payasa exchange It is told on this account king Kousika later turned as sage Viswamithra and sage Jamadagni was born with royal nature. 8.6 Sage Viswamithra- mama to sage Jamadagni On account of this sage Viswamithra became mama to sage Jamadagni. 9. SAGE SANKRITHI Sankrithi was the Grandson of Sage Vashishta, and the son of Sage Shakthi. Sage Shakthi we have already read was the father of Sage Parasara with Satyavathi/ Matsya Gandhi. We already read Parasara was the father of Sage Veda Vyasa who wrote Mahabharatha and father of Pandu and Dhritharashtra. 9.1 Sage Sankrithi half brother to sage Parasara So sage Sankrithi was half brother to sage Parasara. Nothing much known about Sage Sankrithi except that his name figures in the Avadhuta Upanishad, where Lord Dattatreya explains the nature of an Avadhuta to Sage Sankrithi. He is the founder Sage of the Sankrithi Gotra. 10. SAGE JAIMINI He was a celebrated sage, and a disciple of VedaVyasa. He is said to have received the Sama-Veda from his master, and to have been its publisher or teacher. He was also the founder of the Purva-mimansa philosophy.