The Legend

Popularly accepted notion about the lineage of Parasara is given as a graphical chart below:

Brahma, the creator of the Universe and everything in it, having created the Universe, felt lonely (Saturn is the planet that gives the feeling of isolation and fear from it) and wanted to have someone to share his bounty with. He decided on creating his children (Jupiter signifies children, joy, and happiness, and Venus signifies companionship). His children, although mind-born, were born from a specific activity/part of Brahma’s body.

Vashishtha was born from the breath of Brahma. Breath is signified by Saturn as it governs longevity.

Vashishtha had many sons and most illustrious of them was Shakti. Shakti, along with his many brothers, was devoured by a demon when passing through a forest. Here, one should note that Vashishtha was born of Brahma’s breath and so there is no doubt about his longevity, but Saturn (as signified by breath) is not a kind planet when it comes to progeny and invariably gives separation from loved ones.

After the death of Shakti, Vashishtha became extremely depressed and was at the verge of committing suicide (another trait of Saturn is depression and suicidal tendencies) when, on advice from Narada (the celestial traveler sage and another son of Brahma), he did tremendous "tapasya" (again Saturn signifies capability of tremendous penance) and worshipped the goddess Tara (a Mahavidya, form of the eternal Mother). Tara (who removes the obstruction of Jupiter, which in Vashishtha’s case was death of children) did not grant him a child but blessed him with an ever illustrious grandson. This grandson was the great Parasara.

Vashishtha one day heard the infant Parasara chanting Vedic hymns inside the womb of his mother, Ardisyanti.

After this event, Vashishtha foresaw the authenticity of Parasara's gifts and the truth behind Tara’s blessings. Parasara learned astrology from Maharisi Saunka, who had in turn received instruction from Narada, the son of Brahma.

Once Parasara, on hearing the story of his father’s death, became furious and started a great penance to destroy all the demons of the world. All demons began to die and finally on advice from Brahma, Vashishtha had to intervene and pacify Parasara by saying that his father’s death was destiny and that demons are also as much part of creation as are humans. Only after the soothing words from Vashishtha did Parasara stop his penance (some texts say he conducted a great yajna, in other words a fire sacrifice).

This episode clearly shows a dominant Mars (anger) and a soothing Jupiter (obedience to his grandfather) in Parasara.  

Besides being a sage (signified by a predominant Jupiter), Parasara was also a mendicant (signified by Ketu) who walked with a limp (signified by Saturn).

On one of his journeys across a river, he perceived that it was a propitious time to conceive a child. Thus, Parasara chose the maiden Satyavati, daughter of a ferryman, to sire a child with him. Parasara shrouded the ferry with a foggy mist as to hide the unorthodox intimacy between Satyavati and himself. As a "boon" to Satyavati for coupling (the orthodox opinion is that there was no physical coupling) with him, Parasara removed her fishy odor, and replaced it with a sweet smell. He also blessed Satyavati that she would regain her virginity after the birth of her child. The son born to them was Vyasa, who later went on to compose 18 Puranas including the epic Mahabrahata.

Satyavati was later married to the lunar dynasty king Shantanu. It was Vyasa (also called Krishna Dwaipayan) who was requested by Satyavati to mate with (bless) her daughter-in-laws, so that they could have children. This was because Satyavati’s and Shantanu’s children all died without giving an heir to the royal throne. It was thus Vyasa’s grandchildren (Parasara’s great grandchildren) who were the Kauravas and Pandavas (the great Arjuna of Mahabharta who had the Krishna as his charioteer) and who fought on either side on the great battle of Mahabharata.

The legend surrounding Parasara’s death has him being devoured, consumed, or merging into a pack of wolves (Mars), his escape from them thwarted due to his limp.

This is the second in a series of four articles, and will be continued in the next installment. View the first article.

Souvik Dutta is the Guru of the Ancient Indian Astrology Classes. He holds regular classes and consultations in various institutes in and around Chicago.

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