Bharadwaja
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Bharadwaja (Sanskrit: भरद्वाज, IAST Bharadvāja, also spelt Bhardwaj) was one of the greatest Hindu sages (Maharshis) descendant of rishi Angirasa, whose accomplishments are detailed in the Puranas. He was one of the Saptarshis (Seven Great Sages Rishi) in the present Manvantara; with others being Atri, Vashishtha, Vishvamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni, Kashyapa.[1]
Bharadwaja Barhaspatya is the progenitor of the Bharadwaja family and is attributed as the composer of several hymns of Mandala VI of the Rig Veda. He is believed to be a contemporary of King Bharata. Bharadwaja and his descendants were respected and powerful priests/rishis of several clans/dynasties of the Puru tribe, such as the Bharatas and the Panchalas. Mandala VI of the Rig Veda is known as the Bharadwaja Family Book as all its 75 hymns are composed by a member of this family over several centuries.[2]
Bhardwaj Maharishi, a sage of the Vedic period, is renowned for his thirst for knowledge. He attained extraordinary scholarship and the power of meditation.[3]
Another Bhardwaj Rishi, a remote descendant of the progenitor, was father of Guru Dronacharya and grandfather of Ashwatthama.
[edit] History
Bharadwaj is a surname and gotra for people who are the descendants of Rishi Bharadwaj. Rishi Bharadwaj was the son of Rishi Brihaspati. Rishi Brihaspati was the son of Rishi Angiras. These 3 Rishis are called the Traya (Three) Rishis of the Bharadwaja Gotra. Guru Dronacharya, the royal guru to Kauravas and Pandavas in the epic Mahabharat was the son of sage Bharadwaj. He was a master of advanced military arts, including the Devastras.
[edit] Bhardwaj in Ramayana
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In Ramayana, Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana went on exile for the words of his father. Rama along with them went through many forest regions starting from crossing yamuna river with help of Guha ,head clanman and a friend of Rama's father Dasaratha. As he travelled he visited many rishi's ashrams. Met many rishis and sages including Agasthiyar, Gauthama and Bhardwaj. Rama and others rested in Bhardwaj's ashram and accepted his offerings as great sages knew that Rama is incarantion of Vishnu, Sita devi is goddess Lakshmi and Lakshmana is none other than Shesha.
The Bharadwaja mentioned in the Ramayana is once again, a remote descendant of the progenitor and not to be confused with Rishi Bharadwaja Barhaspatya as is often done.
[edit] References
- ^ Inhabitants of the Worlds Mahanirvana Tantra, translated by Arthur Avalon, (Sir John Woodroffe), 1913, Introduction and Preface
- ^ http://http://rigvedaanalysis.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/bharadvajas/
- ^ http://ancientindians.net/rshis-rishis-rushis/bharadwaja/
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