This blogpost describes the life and wisdom of Rishi Pulah who was known to have impressed Lord Shiva so immensely that he manifested himself.
BACKGROUND
His Two Births
Rishi Pulah’s first birth happened from the navel of Brahma. He was one of the seven sons of Brahma who formed the great Saptarishis and were the most respected sages of the Hindu philosophy and culture. He was considered very generous and wise. He was also one of the ten prajapatis or the ruler of the world. However, due to a curse of Lord Shiva he was burnt. His second birth was during the seventh manvantara or the seventh age of Manu called Vaivastava manvantara. In his second life he was born from the hair of Agni.
LIFE
A son of Brahma
He was the fifth son of Lord Brahma. He was considered one of the most important saptarishis and prajapatis. In his first birth, he was married to Rishi Daksha’s daughter Kshama and had three sons and a daughter. During his second birth and life, he was married to Gati and had three sons. He is also known to have adopted Drudhasya, the son of Agastya. It is also believed that he was the ancestor of the Kimpurusas.
WORKS
His Wisdom
He was taught by the Rishi Sadananda and passed on his wisdom to his student, Gautama. His wisdom was so well known that the famous king Bharata was known to have taken hermitage under his guidance and at his ashram. He listened to all the knowledge and wisdom of Rishi Pulah to attain wisdom.
LESSONS LEARNT
Cursed by Lord Shiva
His first birth as a son of brahma was short-lived as he was burnt due to a curse of Lord Shiva.
AREAS OF INFLUENCE
Impressed Lord Shiva
Rishi Pulah did years of penance near the Alaknanada river and performed various acts of austerities and was awarded the invitation to attend the Lord Indra’s assembly or court. He was known to have meditated for a very long time and worshipped the Lord Shiva. His knowledge and wisdom about meditation and Lord Shiva was exceptional. He was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. He simplified Vedas and Upanishads for his people and his disciples and taught them exceptionally well. His acts of penance and wisdom impressed Lord Shiva immensely and he arrived as one of his well-known forms “Pulaheshwar” at Varanasi.
Student of Sage Sadananda and teacher of Rishi Gautama
From being born as a son of Brahma to getting cursed by Lord Shiva then being born again through Agni and then impressing all the lords and especially Lord Shiva, Rishi Pulah remains one of the most respected Saptarishis. He is mentioned in the Mahabharata epic as well. He gave King Bharata the wisdom he needed when he took hermitage under his guidance.
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