MAHARSHI PARASHARA

 

MAHARSHI PARASHARA was a well-known Vedic Sage who is regarded as the father of Jyotish Shastra or Vedic Astrology. He is credited as the author of the Vishnu Purana, the first of 18 Puranas of Hindu Literature compiled by his son Veda Vyasa.

Rishi Parashara, a monumental figure in the field of Vedic astrology, is best known as the father of Jyotish Shastra. His work, the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, laid the foundation for Vedic astrology, influencing generations of astrologers. Born into a lineage of sages, Parashara’s teachings transcended the limits of astrology, shaping the spiritual and intellectual fabric of ancient Hindu society. His contributions continue to resonate today, making him one of the most revered sages in Hindu tradition.

Parashara Rishi was the son of Shakti Muni and Adrishyanti and a disciple of Bashkal and Yajnavalkya. Sage Parashara was actually raised by his grandfather, Rishi Vasishtha, one of the Saptarishis. It is because his father, Shakti Muni, had died before his birth and...

There is an interesting story behind the birth of Sage Parashara involving the death of his father, Shakti Muni. Once, when Shakti Muni was crossing the bridge, there came the King of Ayodhya, named Klamashpada. He belonged to the Ikshavaku Dynasty.

He was riding on his chariot, so that there was not enough space left for Shakti Muni to move forward. Shakti Muni politely requested him, but the king did not pull back his chariot. They both remained stuck on the matter.

When the King did not compromise, Shakti Muni became very angry and cursed him to become a Rakshasa. Soon, the king turned into a monster. Then the Rakshasa killed the sons of Rishi Vasishth along with Shakti Muni.

When Rishi Vashisth came to know of this incident, he got frustrated with extreme sorrow. Distracted, Rishi also decided to give up his life. But he could not succeed even after trying many times. Then he went to the Himalayas with his family.

One day, suddenly, the Vedas recitation started & he looked around in amazement. He did not see anyone. Then Shakti Muni’s wife told him that she was pregnant and the child in the womb was reciting the Vedas. Rishi Vashisth got happy and gave up the idea of giving up his life. The child was Parashara.

When Parashara learned of his father’s untimely death, he vowed to avenge his death by performing the Rakshasa Satra Yagya, a sacrificial ritual aimed at destroying all Rakshasas. The ritual was causing havoc among the Rakshasas, who began to perish one after another in the sacrificial fire.

However, Maharishi Pulastya (Grandfather of Ravana) intervened and persuaded Parashara to stop the yajna, appealing to him on the grounds of non-violence and compassion. Parashara abandoned his quest for revenge, demonstrating great restraint and wisdom, traits that would define his life and teachings thereafter.

Maharishi Pulatsya gave him many blessings and predicted that he would compose Puraan Samhita in the future, which he did, besides many others. Rishi Parashar acquired knowledge of many disciplines and gave them to the world. He has many verses in the Rig Veda.

His other compositions are Vishnu Puraan, Parashar Samhita, Parashar Geeta, Brihat Parashar Samhita, etc. In the dialogue of Bhishma and Yudhishthir in the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata, Bhisma reveals the conversation between Raja Janak and Parashar to Yudhishthir.

This conversation is known as Parashar Geeta. He composed many texts out of which his texts on Astrology are the most important. Ancient and Present Astrology is based on the rules laid down by Parashara, for which he is known as the 'Father of Vedic Astrology'.

There is also a mention of Rishi Parashar in the Mahabharata, where he gets enchanted by a girl who smelled like fish and was named Matsyagandha. This girl was Satyawati, whose work was to take people across the Yamuna River. One day, Rishi Parashar met the girl when he wanted to cross the river.

He got attracted to her and expressed his desire to have a relationship with her. But she refused to have an immoral affair. However, Parashara kept persuading and pleading with her. In the end, Satyawati gave up to his wish but put 3 conditions in front of him.

* No one should be able to see us. Parashar spread dense fog everywhere with his Yogic power.

* Her virginity should not be dissolved under any circumstances. Parashara assured her that she would get back her virginity as soon as she gave birth.

* She wanted the fishy odour that came from her body to transform into an aroma.

Parashar Rishi fulfilled all her conditions, and then they made a relationship. A son was born out of it named Krishnadwaipayan, who was later known popularly as Veda Vyas-compiler of the 4 Vedas.

Rishi Parashara was a renowned maharishi in ancient Hinduism, is widely recognised for his extensive contributions to Vedic literature and astrology. He is credited with authoring the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, one of the foundational texts of Vedic astrology, and is hailed as the father of Jyotish Shastra. As the son of Sage Shakti Muni and the grandson of the great Rishi Vasishtha, one of the revered Saptarishis, Parashara’s life and works have left an indelible mark on Hindu tradition and society.

Parashara’s writings and teachings cover multiple disciplines, including dharma (righteous living), ethics, Ayurveda (traditional Indian medicine), and astrology, thus playing a pivotal role in shaping the spiritual and intellectual fabric of Hindu society.

Maharishi Parashara’s contributions to Vedic astrology are immense. His most well-known work, the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra,continues to be one of the most authoritative texts on Hindu astrology, laying the foundation for what is now known as Jyotish Shastra. In this treatise, Parashara systematically expounded on the principles of planetary positions, Nakshatras (lunar mansions), and astrological yogas (planetary combinations) that govern human destiny. The text offers detailed explanations on the effects of planetary influences on various aspects of life, including health, wealth, marriage, and spirituality.

The Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra also emphasises the importance of using astrology as a tool for better understanding one’s karma and dharma, guiding individuals toward righteous living by aligning themselves with the cosmic order. His work has continued to influence astrologers and scholars, making Parashara the undisputed father of Vedic astrology.