RISHYASRINGA WAS MARRIED TO SISTER OF LORD RAMA

Rishyasringa: The sage born with deer horn on his head

Sage Lomasa had mentioned Rishyasringa; the son of Sage Vibhandaka to The Pandavas in the course of their pilgrimage to Kaushike Riverside. Rishyasringa was once born from deer thus having deer horns on his head, he was married to Shanta; sister of Lord Rama (Daughter of King Dasharatha later adopted by King Lomapada of Anga Pradesh) and with his superb Ascetic power Rishyasringa additionally made Indra rain sufficiently in the country of Anga.  Here in my blog post, I will provide an explanation about his birth and How was such a celibate married to Shanta and helped in raining in Anga Pradesh.

Sage Vibhandaka's hermitage was once near the riverside of Kaushike. He used to perform rigorous penance whilst staying in a kund. One day while taking a bath, he noticed alluring Apsara Urvashi. Being seduced by way of her beauty, his semen dropped there in the water that was then swallowed by a doe or female deer. She used to be a deity goddess in her previous birth who was born in animal yoni in her subsequent. It was destined via Lord Brahma for her to be relieved from such yoni after giving birth to a sage. Likewise, Rishyasringa was born to her. After birth, he had seen no one else but his father Vibhandaka only. He solely practised celibacy from birth.

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During those days, King Lomapada grew to be the king of Anga Desa. He had once falsely behaved with a Brahmin in his kingdom for which that Brahmin had left his kingdom. King had put self-willed accusations on that Brahmin for which Indra stopped raining in his country. In order to save the kingdom from such a crisis, King had discussed with some wise Brahmins who informed him about the brilliant celibate Rishyasringa who could help in raining thru his dazzling asceticism. King started out searching for a way to bring the sage to his kingdom. However, it was not possible to divert the sage from his penance. King asked the women of his kingdom to entice the sage in the direction of their beauty.

The gorgeous Slaves of the kingdom created a beautiful hermitage on a boat decorated with lovely flowers, bushes and stayed near the hermitage of sage Vibhandaka. After noticing the sage Vibhandaka had left his hermitage that day, one slave went close to Rishyasringa and asked about his wellness. Rishyasringa welcomed her there and offered her fruits. The lady being obliged towards her religion did not receive the fruits from such an outstanding Ascetic, alternatively, she lured him by imparting him more delicious fruits, fragrant garlands, and better drinks and then talked about their charming hermitage. That slave also played as well as laughed with him and aroused him with tempting hugs and touches. Then she left Rishyasringa in his condition as a result the sage lost consciousness there.

After a while, sage Vibhandaka returned to the hermitage and found his son in such a pathetic situation. He asked Rishyasringa why he had not arranged for the Agnihotra and not performed his other regular activities by that time. Out of Curiosity, Vibhandaka wished to know the cause behind his son's negligence.

Considering the fact that Rishyasringa had never experienced something like this before with a woman, he explained to his father, "Father! A celibate with matted hair and mesmerizing looks came to me who offered more delicious fruits and water than we actually have and also played with me. Either I will find that celibate to practice the same penance that she knows or I will have her stay with me forever." Rishyasringa then also elaborated on the appealing beauty of her.

Vibhandaka told his son that, Only a demon could distract the sage like this by taking a different form. Then he forbid his son from meeting that celibate or accepting any delicious foods or garlands due to the fact that those were against Sage's principles and started out searching for her all by himself but couldn't find her. The next day after Vibhandaka as usual left the hermitage to arrange for fruits, that slave again came near Rishyasringa and persuaded him to go to her hermitage without letting his father know about it.

Meanwhile, King Lomapada took away that boat from the river, built another forest similar to the sage's that was named Navyashrama, and established the hermitage there only. He arranged the staying of Rishyasringa in the palace only. The moment he stepped into that palace immediately Indra started raining in that country. Then pleased king married Rishyasringa off to his daughter Shanta. With an intention to avoid the curse from Vibhandaka sage, the king kept many cows and buffaloes on the way, arranged for the farmers to ploughing the nearby land where Vibhandaka sage had to arrive while looking for his son, and additionally ordered all of them to courteously let the sage know that his son had owned all of this.

Vibhandaka sage was enraged to see his son nowhere in his hermitage. Assuming it could be the king's activities, he rushed towards the kingdom. The cowherds worshipped the sage and, made arrangements for his stay and elaborated to the sage about the wealth that Rishyasringa had owned from the king that time Accordingly. Vibhandaka was later pacified after seeing his son Rishyasringa and Shanta together. After staying for a certain period in the kingdom Rishyasringa returned to his hermitage and stayed with Shanta peacefully.

Ref: Mahabharata book

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