The Birth Story of Vishwamitra

In the golden age of dharma, when sages communed with gods and kings ruled with wisdom, there lived a mighty monarch—Kusha, born of Brahma’s will, a sovereign sage, radiant with tapas and virtue.

His queen, Vaidarbhi, a princess from Vidarbha’s noble house, bore him four sons, each resplendent with inner fire: Kushamba, Kushanabha, Amurta-Rajas, and Vasu.

In time, these sons set out to carve their legacies in stone and spirit:

Kushamba laid the foundations of Kaushambi, Kushanabha built the sacred city of Mahodaya, Amurta-Rajas raised Dharmaranya, and Vasu gave form to Girivraja.

Each ruled not with iron and sword, but with the quiet might of truth and righteousness.

Of them all, King Kushanabha, wise and just, shines in lore for a tale that stirs the soul.

To him were born—not sons—but a hundred radiant daughters, from the womb of the celestial dancer Ghritachi.

They blossomed like lotuses in spring—graceful, serene, and beautiful beyond mortal measure.

One day, as they wandered through the palace grove, laughter on their lips and youth in their veins, the Wind God—Vayu—beheld them.

Overcome by desire, he whispered through the trees:

“O daughters of dharma! Forsake this human shell, embrace divinity. Be mine, and I shall grant you immortality and eternal youth.”

But those noble maidens, embodiments of modesty and resolve, bowed and replied:

“O Lord of the Winds, we belong to our father’s will. It is he who shall choose our path, and to his choice alone shall we yield.”

Rebuffed and enraged, Vayu lashed out—not with storm or thunder—but with a silent curse.

He entered their bodies and twisted their limbs, turning their beauty into deformity, their grace into crooked form. Thus, the hundred princesses, once the pride of Mahodaya, returned in tears, bearing the scars of divine wrath.

King Kushanabha heard their tale—not with rage, but with quiet strength. “My daughters,” he said, “you have upheld the honor of our house with dignity. Even gods test the virtuous, but the virtuous do not bend.” Worried for their future, he turned to his council, seeking a groom who could see beyond form and cherish the soul.

Far away, in a forest lit by penance, the sage Chuli meditated Serving him with devotion was the Gandharva maiden Somada. Pleased by her service, the sage offered her a boon. She bowed and said:

“O noble one, grant me a son, born of your tapas—virtuous, wise, and devoted to dharma.”

So was born—of thought, not flesh—a son divine: Brahmadatta, glowing with the fire of virtue.

He grew to rule the city of Kampilya, a king of calm mind and noble heart.

To him, Kushanabha offered his hundred daughters. The moment they touched his hand in marriage, the curse of Vayu melted away. Their beauty returned, brighter than before—proof that love rooted in dharma conquers even the anger of gods.

Relieved and content, Kushanabha now desired a son to continue his lineage. He performed the sacred Putrakameshti Yajna, and in due time, was blessed with a virtuous son—Gadhi.

From Gadhi came two children: Satyavati, who followed her husband to heaven and flowed back to Earth as the sacred Koushiki River, and Kaushika, a prince destined for far greater glory.

Kaushika ruled the Earth with justice, yet his soul yearned for higher truths.

Renouncing crown and kingdom, he plunged into penance, shedding the fire of the warrior for the light of the sage.

After ages of austerity, he rose as Vishwamitra, the Brahmarshi—equal to Vasishtha, revered by devas, and immortal in lore.