Vishvamitra

In Hindu mythology, one of the Seven
Sages whose names mark exogamous
clan “lineages” (gotra; in exogamous
clans, members marry outside their own
clan); the others are Gautama,
Bharadvaja, Kashyapa, Bhrgu, Atri,
and Vasishtha. All brahmins are
believed to be descended from these
seven sages, with each family taking the
name of its progenitor as its gotra name.
In modern times, these gotra divisions
are still important because marriage
within the gotra is forbidden. After her
marriage, the new bride adopts her husband’s gotra as part of her new identity.
Vishvamitra is most famous for his
long-standing feud with the sage
Vasishtha, which causes numerous confrontations. The feud begins as a result
of the difference in status between kshatriyas and brahmins. Vishvamitra is a
king, who once stops with a host of
retainers at the forest ashram of the
brahmin Vasishtha. Upon asking for
food, Vishvamitra is amazed at the
ability of Vasishtha’s cow, the Kamadhenu, to provide food for everyone.
Vishvamitra first tries to buy the
Kamadhenu, then tries to take it by
force, but his minions are defeated by
the magic powers generated by
Vasishtha’s tapas (ascetic practices).
Vishvamitra finally admits defeat and
begins to do ascetic practices to generate power of his own. Two of their most
celebrated clashes are over King
Trishanku and his son, Harishchandra;
in each case the real issue is the mutual
antipathy of these two sages. See also
marriage prohibitions.