Character

Vishvamitra

विश्वामित्रViśvāmitra

verses
2,233
books
30
chapters
428

What the texts say

In the Ramayana, Vishvamitra is a sage once famed as a rajarshi, a royal sage, who by austerities became a brahmarshi. Ramayana 1.18.53, 1.51.14 The epic tells how the sage Vasishtha would not give up his wish-fulfilling cow Shabala, and Vishvamitra dragged her away by force. Ramayana 1.54.1 He promised King Trishanku a bodily ascent to heaven, and created an everlasting heaven for him. Ramayana 1.60.27, 1.60.28 After Rama slew Subahu, a lord among demons, Vishvamitra gave him divine weapons, among them Shiva's trident. Ramayana 2.44.11, 1.27.4 In the Skanda Purana, he is named as the seer of the Gayatri meter. Skanda Purana 4.1.35.131

Where to read

Every verse that names Vishvamitra, book by book.

  1. Ramayana

    804 verses · 64 chapters

    All 804 verses in the Ramayana
    • 1.38.1

      Having narrated that account to Rāma, Kauśika—descendant of Kuśika—again spoke further words, addressing the scion of the Kakutsthas.

    • 1.43.1

      O Rāma, when that God of gods had departed, he (Bhagīratha) undertook austerity for a year, pressing the earth with the tip of his great toe in steadfast meditation.

    • 1.67.1

      Hearing Janaka’s words, the great sage Viśvāmitra said to the king: “Show the bow to Rāma.”

  2. Skanda Purana

    479 verses · 94 chapters

    All 479 verses in the Skanda Purana
    • 6.1.167.5

      Thus Viśvāmitra became renowned throughout the three worlds, among all moving and unmoving beings; that greatly fortunate one continually grew ever more eminent among men.

    • 6.1.4.1

      Sūta said: Reflecting on Triśaṅku and on the great sage Viśvāmitra for a long time in his mind, he then arrived at a firm decision.

    • 3.1.39.17

      Atri, Bhṛgu, Kutsa, Gautama, and Parāśara; Kaṇva, Agastya, and Sutīkṣṇa; and others too—Viśvāmitra and the rest—(all came there).

  3. Mahabharata

    269 verses · 48 chapters

    All 269 verses in the Mahabharata

    Also in the Gita Press edition: 261 verses

    • 12.139.47

      Viśvāmitra, however, soothing him, said to the Mātaṅga: “I am hungry, my life-breath is failing; I will take the śvajāghanī.”

    • 1.165.15

      He praised that Nandinī, Vasiṣṭha’s milk-giving cow; and then Viśvāmitra, greatly pleased, spoke to the sage.

    • 9.41.3

      Vaiśaṃpāyana said: Between the seer Viśvāmitra and Vasiṣṭha, O Bhārata, there arose intense enmity, great in extent, produced by rivalry in ascetic discipline.

  4. Devi Bhagavatam

    200 verses · 25 chapters

    All 200 verses in the Devi Bhagavatam
    • 7.13.1

      Description of Vishvamitra's pacification for lifting Trishanku's curse. The King (Janamejaya) asked: Harishchandra was made king by the ministers at the royal command. But how was Trishanku freed from that Chandala body?

    • 7.19.1

      'Description of the surrender of everything to Kaushika and the giving of Dakshina.' Vyasa said: 'Hearing these words of the king, the sage Kaushika (Vishvamitra) laughed and replied thus to King Harishchandra.'

    • 7.23.2

      When Vishvamitra left, the King was overcome with grief. Sighing heavily and repeatedly, he spoke loudly with his face cast down.

Also named in

Key chapters

The chapters where Vishvamitra matters most.

  1. Sagara’s Boons, Progeny, and the Rise of the Sixty Thousand

    Ramayana 1.38 · 19 verses

  2. The Descent of the Gaṅgā and Bhagiratha’s Fulfilment

    Ramayana 1.43 · 18 verses

  3. The Showing of Śiva’s Bow and Rama’s Breaking of It

    Ramayana 1.67 · 17 verses

  4. Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca

    Mahabharata 12.139 · 62 verses

    Exemplar of a brāhmaṇa in extremity testing the limits of…

  5. Viśvāmitra’s Renunciation of Kingship

    Skanda Purana 6.1.167 · 55 verses

  6. Ramavatara: The Birth and Early Deeds of Lord Rama

    Narasimha Purana 1.47 · 54 verses

  7. Narration of Kārttikeya’s Divine Play

    Shiva Purana 2.4.3 · 12 verses

    Devotee-seer encountering the supramundane

  8. Triśaṅku and Viśvāmitra: Pilgrimage Circuit and Purification at Hāṭakeśvara

    Skanda Purana 6.1.4 · 38 verses

  9. विश्वामित्रस्य ब्राह्मर्षित्वप्राप्तिः · Viśvāmitra Attains Brahmarṣi Status

    Ramayana 1.65 · 32 verses

  10. The Stolen Sacrificial Horse of Sagara

    Ramayana 1.39 · 9 verses

Key episodes

  1. Harishchandra, the King Who Would Not Lie

    Markandeya Purana 7-8

  2. The Descent of the Ganga: Sagara's Sons and Bhagiratha

    Ramayana 1.38-1.44

  3. Rama Breaks Shiva's Bow at Mithila

    Ramayana 1.66-1.67

  4. Rama and Sita in the Flower Garden (Pushpavatika)

    Ramcharitmanas 1.23-1.24

Also known to Wikipedia · Wikidata Q2773345