Rishyasringa

A child with deer's horns was he
The Rishyasringa Rishi
Born to the heavenly nymph Urvashi
And Vibhandaka Maharshi

 She left the child and returned whence she came
While the ascetic father brought his child up
In the depth of the jungles
Away from all society.

Now a young man, Rishyasringa's powers
Grew and grew while in the kingdom of Anga
There was a cursed drought and famine
Giving King Romapada's heart many a tremor

Told that the young ascetic in the midst
Of the forests had the key, the King sent
Shanta to seduce him back to Anga
Which she did and back she came

Bringing the Rishi along with her
Anga began to thrive once more
And the Rishi, he settled down
With Shanta, in wedded bliss.

At a later date chief purohit* at the Yajna* at Ayodhya
On behest of King Dasharatha*
And then were born the four fine lads
But that tale in some other poem I shall tell.

Of Vibhandaka Rishi's reactions I have no sight
To each their own actions seeming right
For their people's benefit each one bending
And this is where my tale I am ending.

*Purohit- Hindu priest
*Yajna- Fire ritual
*King Dasharatha- Father of Sri Rama, King of Ayodhya
*Sengar Brahmins are supposed to be descendants of Rishyasringa rishi and Shanta
*Sringeri, and important temple town in Karnataka is named after the rishi











I am writing poetry based on Indian mythology/history for the April 2016 A to Z challenge. Please read, comment and share freely and do come back :)