Agarchand Nahta Abhinandan Granth Part 2

Author(s): Dashrath Sharma
Publisher: Agarchand Nahta Abhinandan Granth Prakashan Samiti

Page 134

Visvamitra in the Kalpasutras Dr. Umesh Chandra Sharma, M, A., Ph. D., Senior Research Fellow, Centre of Advanced Study in Sanskrit, University of Poona,
Poona-7. The Sütras. as it is quite natural, generally provide important data about the gotra and pravara system among the Viśvāmitras. They have devoted a considerably large portion for the Viśvāmitras who occupy a significant place in our national and cultural history.
The SŚs, however, appear to be an exception in this connection. It devotes a major portion to the legend of Sunaśśepa's sacrifice and the important role played by Viśvāmitra in it. The narration runs parallel to that of the AB. The language and the style are also the same. It is certainly a repetition from the latter except minor verbal differences here and there which are of no importance. Viśvāmitra officiated as a Hoty priest in the said sacrifice (where Sunaśśepa was offered as a victim), Jamadagni, Vasistha and Ayāsya being the other prominent priests. Sunaśśepa could not be sacrificed partly due to good offices of Viśvāmitra. He adopted him as his own son and accorded to him the highest place among his sons. He was called Devarāta after this and became a famous Kuśika.
The Sūtras deal in detail with the gotra and the pravara systems of the family of the Viśvāmitras. These are as follows
1. The Kuśikas have three rşi-pravaras-Vaiśvāmitra, Daivaräta and Audala.
2. Viśvāmitra, Devaśravas nnd Devataras--these are sraumata-Kāma.
1. ŚŚS XV. 17-57. Cf. also AB VII, 13-18. 2. According to the Bauss() 31, the following are mentioned as the Kuśikas
Kuśikas, Párnajanghas, Vārak yas, Audaris, Māņis, Bșhadagnis, Alavis, Aghattis, Apadyapas, Antakas, Kamantakas, Vāşpakis, Cikitas, Lāmakayanas, Salankāyanas, Sankāyanas, Laukas, Gauras, Saugantis, Yamadūtas, Anabhimlātas, Tárakāyanas, Cauvalas, Jabalis, Yajñavalkyas. Vidandas. Bhauvanis, Saubabhravis. Aupadahanis, Audum baris, Bhārisţikis, Syameyas, Caitreya 3, Sālāvatas, Mayüras, Saumatyas, Citratantus, Manutantus, Mantus, others
denoting the word 'Tantus' in the end, Bābhrvyas, Kalāpas and Utsaris. 3. BauśS(P) 31, ĀDSS XXIV. 9. 2, HirśS XXI. 3. 12.
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