Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.4737

c9.4737

VIŚVĀMITRA. A royal hermit of immense attainments.
1) Genealogy. Descended from Brahmā in the following order Brahmā—Atri—Candra—Budha—Purūravas—Vijaya—Hotraka—Jahnu—Puru—Balāka—Ajaka—Kuśa—Kuśanābha—Gādhi—Viśvāmitra.
2) Birth. Six beautiful daughters were born to Kuśanābha the son of King Kuśa. The hermit Brahmadatta married them. After this a son named Gādhi was born to Kuśanābha. Two children named Satyavatī and Viśvāmitra were born to Gādhi. Satyavatī was married to Ṛcīka; As he was born in the family of the famous king Kuśa, Viśvāmitra got the name Kauśika also. His kingdom was Kānyakubja. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa, Sarga 34).
3) Becoming a hermit. Viśvāmitra and Vasiṣṭha were two hermits who were hostile to each other throughout their lives. A quarrel with Vasiṣṭha, persuaded Viśvāmitra to become a hermit. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa, Sarga 51).