Nahta Bandhu Abhinandan Granth

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

Page 586

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 Sutras, as it is quite natural, generally provide important data about the gotra and pravara system among the Visvamitras. They have devoted a considerably large portion for the Visvamitras who occupy a significant place in our national and cultural history.
The SSS, however, appear to be an exception in this connection. It devotes a major portion to the legend of Sunassepa's sacrifice and the important role played by Visvamitra 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. Visvamitra officiated as a Hoty priest in the said sacrifice (where Sunaśśepa was offered as a victim), Jamadagni, Vasistha and Ayasya being the other prominent priests. Sunassepa could not be sacrificed partly due to good offices of Visvamitra. He adopted him as his own son and accorded to him the highest place among his sons. He was called Devarăta after this and became a famous Kusika.
The Satras deal in detail with the gotra and the pravara systems of the family of the Viśvamitras. These are as follows
1. The Kusikas2 have three rşi-pravaras-Vaisvamitra, Daivarāta and
Audala, a
2. Visvamitra, Devaśravas nnd Devataras-these are Śraumata—Kāma
1. SSS XV. 17-57. Cf. also AB VII. 13-18.
2. According to the BauSS(p) 31, the following are mentioned as the KusikasKusikas, Parpajanghas, Värakyas, Audaris, Manis, Brhadagnis, Alavis, Aghattis, Apadyapas, Antakas, Kamantakas, Vaspakis, Cikitas, Lamakayanas, Šalankayanas, Sankayanas, Laukas, Gauras, Saugantis, Yamadütas, Anabhimlatas, Trakyaņas, Cauvalas, Jabalis, Yajnavalkyas. Vidandas. Bhauvanis, Saubabhravis. Aupadahanis, Audumbaris, Bharistikis, Syameyas, Caitreyas, Salavatas, Maytiras, Saumatyas, Citratantus, Manutantus, Mantus, others denoting the word 'Tantus' in the end, Babhrvyas, Kalapas and Utsaris. 3. BauSS(P) 31, ApSS XXIV. 9. 2, HirSS XXI. 3. 12.
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इतिहास और पुरातत्त्व ९७