Maharishi Vashista was the manas putra or mind born son of Lord Brahma the Creator. He was also one of the seven Rishis – SaptaRishis. His entire life was full of tapas and austerities and he served the Lord Himself and mankind all his life. He was self realized and without ego and had great power due to tapas. Hence he was called Brahmarishi. He was a householder and married to Arundhati and they had a hundred sons. Once, Lord Brahma told him that Lord Vishnu would incarnate in the Raghu lineage. In order to be near the Lord and serve him and watch the divine drama first hand, Vashista took up the post of priest to the Raghu dynasty. He also started a school in his ashram so that the local youth could be educated in the right manner and contribute to the progress of the kingdom. He knew that the avatar of Lord Vishnu would come and study in his ashram. When Lord Vishnu born to King Dashrath, Vashista named the baby- Rama. The sacred name of Rama existed before the birth of Rama and was not given to any other person till then.
Once, Vishwamitra came to the ashram of Vashista. The sage received him and offered him unmatched hospitality. The food and other offerings were given by Nandini, the sacred cow. Vishwamitra wanted the cow for himself and asked Vashista for it. Vashista refused as the ashram was under the protection of Nandini and she was a family member. Vishwamitra tried to take the cow by force but the cow protected herself by producing an army who attacked and destroyed the army of Vishwamitra. The sons of Vishwamitra also joined in the battle and were killed. Vishwamitra felt terribly humiliated and went to the forest and did great tapas of Lord Shiva. Pleased with the tapas, Lord Shiva gave him many divine astras or spells for using in warfare and also knowledge.
Vishwamitra went back to Vashista’s ashram and used the divine astras and tried to defeat him. Vashista did not summon any army or weapon in defence. He simply held his Brahma Danda ( the wooden staff carried by Rishis) in front of him. Divine astras or weapons were released one after the other by Vishwamitra but of no use. The Brahma Danda simply absorbed all the attacks and weapons into itself and Vashista and the ashram were unharmed. The power and strength of Vasishta’s tapas was concentrated in the staff. The Brahma Danda represents the power of tapas of any Rishi and is the symbol of Nirguna Para Brahman – the formless Divinity. Vashista’s tapas was so powerful that he could withstand even the Brahmastra – the most powerful astra or warfare weapon of the Universe. Vishwamitra was well and truly defeated and he learnt that the real power of any person came from tapas by which one is enlightened. So he sought to perform tapas like Vashista and become his equal.
Vashista played a great role in shaping the Raghu Dynasty. Once, when there was a famine in Ayodhya, he helped all the people and animals with the power of his tapas. Vashista gave the mantra to Bhagirath by which he was able to bring the Ganges to earth. He advised King Dilip to serve Nandini and Nandini blessed the king with a son. He advised King Dashrath to perform the Putrakameshti Yagna for begetting sons. He taught and guided Sri Rama at the ashram. He gave Sri Rama the Shaktipata of Kundalini Maha Yoga and taught him how to transmit it.
Vashista was reputed for his tapas, wisdom, patience and unconditional love. He was given title of BrahmaRishi as he was enlightened. All his greatness came from the power of his tapas.
