Rishi Agastya: The complete lifestory and his contributions

Origin Story of Sage Agastya

Sage Agastya is one of the renowned saints in India. His father, Sage Pulasthya, belongs to the order of Sapta Rishi. His mother was the celestial maiden Urvashi, an Apsara gifted with the power of levitation. The Sapta Rishi are revered saints born to Lord Brahma. They were entrusted with the special responsibility of establishing culture and humanity for the benefit of mankind. These figures were blessed by the divine with power, knowledge, and wisdom.

The Unique Birth of Sage Agastya

Sage Agastya is also called "Kuda Muhi," meaning he was born in a pot. This birth story is another fascinating legend. It describes how he came into existence from a pot where Lord Varuna, the Segagod, and Lord Mitra deposited their seeds during a sacred ritual. This pot was placed in a holy pyre.

Some legends suggest that he was born in Kashi around 3000 years ago on Shrava Shukla Panchami. Today, this place is known as "Agastya Kund." Agastya's wife was Lopamudra, a princess from the kingdom of Vidarbha. Initially, her parents opposed the marriage, but Lopamudra accepted Agastya as her husband. Together, they had a son named Drdhasyu, sometimes called Idhmavaha. He is mentioned in the Mahabharata as a child who learned the Vedas while still in his mother’s womb, and was born reciting hymns.

The Ashrams of Sage Agastya

Sage Agastya established an ashram whose locations vary according to different legends. Some place it in Northwest Maharashtra along the bank of the Godavari River, near small towns named Agastyapuri and Akola. Other accounts suggest it could be near Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh or Agastyamuni village near Rudraprayag in Uttarakhand. In Southern texts, including the North Indian Devi Bhagavata Purana, his ashram is often believed to be in Tamil Nadu, located in Tirunelveli, Pothiyal Hills, or Thanjavur. Facing east, he is said to have meditated on a rock in Kanyakumari at the onset of Kalyug. His final resting place is thought to be in Agastyarkodam, Thiruvananthapuram.

Sage Agastya and Lopamudra are also mentioned in the Ramayana. They lived in the Dandak Forest, situated on the southern slopes of the Vidhya Mountain. Rama described Agastya as the sage who commanded the Vindhya Mountain to lower itself so that the sun, moon, and living beings could easily pass over it. He is also known for slaying demons Vatapi and Ilwala, who had misled and destroyed 9,000 men. Agastya bestowed bow and arrows to Rama, highlighting the evil nature of Ravana.

Mythical Stories and Contributions of Sage Agastya

Sage Agastya is prominently referenced in the Mahabharata, particularly in the Vanaparva section. This epic narrates the mythical war between Indra and the demon Vritra. In this tale, the gods sought Agastya's help to vanquish the demons hiding in the ocean. Agastya ingeniously drank up the sea, exposing the demons for the gods to defeat.

Agastya's Contributions to Knowledge

Agastya is mentioned in all four Vedas of Hinduism and features as a character in the Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads, epics, and Puranas. He authored hymns 1.165 to 1.191 of the Rigveda around 1200 BCE and ran a Vedic school or Gurukul. The hymns composed by Agastya are renowned for their verbal play, rhymes, puzzles, and striking imagery, all embedded with deep spiritual messages.

The Puranic literature of Hinduism includes numerous stories about Agastya, such as Chapter 61 of the Matsya Purana and Chapter 22 of the Padma Purana. Seven other texts also recount the life and teachings of Sage Agastya.

Cultural Impact and Temples Dedicated to Agastya

In Tamil culture, Agastya is revered as the father of language. Temples dedicated to him can be found throughout Tamil Nadu. Notable examples include the Shri Agasthiyar Temple at Agasthiyae Fall (Kalyana Teertham) in Papanasam and the Shri Kopamudra Samedha Agasthiyar Temple at Arulmigu Chandambara Vinayagar Thirukoil in A. Veelapatti (Madurai District), just 7 km from Alogarkovil.

Agastya statues are prevalent in North India, South India, and Southeast Asia. Sage Agastya is also credited as the father of martial arts and Varma, an ancient science of healing for various ailments. It is said that Murugan, the son of Shiva, taught the art of Varumam to Agastya.

Innovations in Science and Technology

Sage Agastya was a pioneer in science, reputed to have invented the battery over 4000 years ago in Bharat. The fundamental formula for generating electricity is based on the ancient principles elucidated by Sage Agastya. His book, "Agastya Samhita," contains insights related to power generation. It also describes how water can be split into hydrogen and oxygen.

The "Agastya Samhita" further details the use of electricity for electroplating. He discovered methods for polishing copper, gold, or silver using a battery. Due to such brilliant inventions, Rishi Agastya is honored with the title "Kumbodhbhav," meaning "Battery Born."

Ultimately, the life and teachings of Sage Agastya have had a profound influence on ancient and modern Indian culture. His contributions to spirituality, science, and societal values continue to resonate throughout history.