The Legend of Rishyasringa & the Vibhandak Line- Part 1

The world is aware of the great Indian epics-Ramayana and Mahabharata. The stories have umpteen examples on how to go about living life, Dharma (loosely law and order), Tyag (sacrifice), and above all, Karma (actions). I happened to stumble around a slightly lesser-known story from the same era- the message from which has become very important now, is that of Rishyasringa, and code set by his father, Vibhandak.

Rishi Vibhandak was a sage of Kashyap lineage, who, in search of self-realization started doing penance and meditation from a very early age. His unending penance gradually brought him superhuman powers, much to the chagrin of the Lord Indra (king of heavens). Fearing Vibhandak can usurp heaven with his powers, Indra sent Urvashi to distract Vibhadak and end his meditation. Urvashi was able to break Vibhandak’s meditation by chanting Vedic mantras- and asked Vibhandak for bearing a son with her, threatening to commit suicide otherwise. Vibhandak, not wanting to be the cause of death, gifted Urvashi his semen and told her to impregnate herself. Mission accomplished (Vibhandak’s meditation was broken), Urvashi used her powers to transfer the semen in a deer- thus impregnating the deer. The deer soon delivered a human baby, but with deer horns- and thus Rishyasringa was born- “a baby with deer horns”.

Penance broken, Rishi Vibhandak developed extreme hatred toward women- all feminine entities for that matter. He decided to raise Rishyasringa in an isolated part of a forest- completely devoid of any forms of feminine entities. Rishyasringa thus never saw any girl/woman and was never told of their existence as well. Gradually, under the able guidance of his father, Rishyasringa gained unassuming yogic powers. A so-called “Vibhandak Line” was thus formed around this isolated patch of the forest- which was the way of life for Rishyasringa, an invisible code of conduct drawn for him.   

The forest where Rishyasringa was put up, came under the jurisdiction of the kingdom of Anga. King Rompada, its ruler was going through a hard time as his kingdom was engulfed by drought and severe famine. As things went from bad to worse, Rompada was told of an immense power radiating from within the forest, which could presumably end the drought and bring prosperity to his kingdom. Rompada’s messengers brought him complete information about the yogic father-son duo and how Rishyasringa’s power could put an end to his misery. Vibhandak, aware of the developments, ordered his son to rebuff any attempts from the Anga kingdom and to strictly follow the “ Vibhandak line”.

To lure Rishyasringa out of his penance and help the kingdom, Rompada sent his daughter, Shanta. Rishyasringa, encountering a woman for the first time in his life- was awestruck at this life form, however, remembering his father’s orders, did not act on his instincts. As time passed by, however, his infatuation grew, his thoughts began to linger on the “lady”- the word beautiful started making sense, and Rishyasringa started wondering if he could have a future with her. A voice in his head, however, reprimanded him immediately- the “Vibhandak Line” was not to be crossed!

As days went by, Rishyasringa started getting distracted from his meditation and thinking more and more about Shanta. His father was in deep meditation somewhere in the jungle. A conflicted Rishyasringa decided to speak to him once he was back.

To be continued…