Rishyashringa© Harsh Nevatia
Aug 17, 2001
Sage Kashyap created Vibondaka using his mental prowess while he was meditating. As soon as Vibondaka came out of Kashyap's mind, he went to the deepest forests to perform very severe austerities. If he were to ever get angry, this whole universe would be burnt to ashes. And if he ever thought of anything, it will automatically come to him. He was only performing the austerities for self-realisation, but Indra was worried that he may in time usurp Indra's throne. So Indra asked Brahma for his best apsara or divine maiden. Brahma sent Harsha, the ever-smiling one with Indra. Indra asked Harsha to foil the austerities of Vibondaka. Because she was herself divine Harsha could realise that Vibondaka wanted no material gains and that it would be impossible to seduce him. Indra did not care what approach she used as long as she reconfirmed that Vibondaka was no threat.
Harsha came to Vibondaka's hermitage and began chanting mantras. Vibondaka heard this clear pronunciation of Vedic mantras, and looked at her. She fell at his feet and said, "Only for begetting a son from you have I chanted these mantras. If you don't accept this request, then I will commit suicide." Vibondaka said that he would not have sex with her as it would reduce the effect of his penance, but he would not let her die. He dropped some semen and told Harsha to impregnate herself. Harsha then understood that Indra had nothing to fear, so her mission was fulfilled. But she did not want to become pregnant and Vibondaka's semen was burning the earth. So using her divine powers she put the semen in the ovaries of the deer. The deer soon delivered a baby who had a human form, but with deer horns. This was Rishyashringa, meanings a human being with deer horns.
The deer brought Vibondaka to where Rishyashringa was, and the sage decided to take care of the child. Then Vibondaka thought, "Now I know why Kashyap produced me. I was supposed to produce this son, though why I do not yet know." He brought him up in a manner befitting a sage's son. There was no woman in that forest so Rishyashringa had no idea of women. In this way Rishyashringa grew up to be the most innocent person in creation. At about this time a daughter, Shanti, was born to Dasharatha and Kausalya. Romapada the king of Anga, and Dasharatha's friend had sons, but no daughter. So Dasharatha gave Shanti to Romapada. Unfortunately there was a drought for two successive seasons after Shanti came to Anga and fingers were pointed at her. However the court astrologer inferred that this disaster was as a result of Romapada cheating a Brahmin some time earlier. The remedy was to get Rishyashringa to marry Shanti. The problem was how to attempt this without incurring Vibondaka's or his wrath. Ultimately, a prostitute rose to the occasion. "If he comes, then the kingdom will be happy. If he doesn't come, only a prostitute will be killed," she said.
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