।। विश्वामित्र ।। vishwamitra ||

I am Vishwamitra. 

I breath in - breath out, exist, be, write, sing, express, worship by this name.

In your Sadhana or Tapassya you opt to wear a new name, this new name is the the name given to you by your Guru, this new name helps you break away from your past associations those drag you towards maya. The new name is a your rebirth in this physical world, where you have found the 'one and only' objective of your life. The inner guru who resides in me suggest me to take this new name/avatar and do justice to my existence as vishwamitra; a compassionate and luminous worshiper of shiva (the purest one/ the auspicious one) 

।। ॐ नमः शिवाय ।। 

~

Meaning of the name 

विश्वामित्र (friend of the world) = विश्व (world/ universe) + मित्र (friend)

‘Vishwa’ means Universal and it refers to what existed in the past, what exists now and what will exist in the future and hence is timeless. One example is the Universal truths, which refer to the laws that were applicable, are still valid and will continue to do so. ‘Mitra’ means friend. Vishwamitra means a friend of the Universe, that existed – which exists now – will exist in the future.

The name aptly describes the nature of this great Rishi, whose love is so vast and expansive that it encompasses all individuals, living and non-living beings, planets, stars, galaxies and cosmoses. He has spread his love to the entire existence. Although his name means that he is a friend of the Universe, God says that by virtue of his love and work, he can also be called as the ‘Mother of the Universe’.

Some information about the growth and exploits of Vishwamitra Maharishi can be found in Indian mythology. He was born into the material existence of a king but circumstances forced him to turn his back on worldly pleasures and go on a spiritual voyage — a journey that would transform a king of a province into a friend of the Universe.(from www.vishwaamara.com)

Mythological background

The Puranas depict him as a famous and mighty emperor, Kaushika, who ruled over one of the Indian provinces, in a previous Yuga. He was known for his just administration, valour and righteousness. The story also goes that he was born of a boon of a Rishi, by which, though born a warrior (kshatriya), he would have the qualities and future of a saint (brahmin).

The turning point in his life arrives when he visits the ashram of another great sage, Maharshi Vasishtha, with his large entourage. Upon the request from the Maharshi, the divine cow in his ashram, Nandini, instantly creates food and delicacies for king’s large party. King Kaushika who’s enamoured by the capabilities of the divine cow requests the Maharshi to gift it to him but his request is denied. When repeated requests are politely refused, the king feels humiliated and tries to take away the cow by force. The divine cow creates great armies out of its powers and King Koushika and his army are routed and defeated.

The humiliated king vows vengeance and sits in deep penance to gain powers in order to defeat the Maharshi. When his further conquests against the saintly Maharshi fail, he starts on a spiritual journey to become a greater Rishi than Maharshi Vasishta. He embarks on an intense penance to gain deep spiritual insights and reach extraordinary heights that haven’t been reached by anyone else.

His spiritual conquests are thwarted many times when he loses his spiritual powers to assist a king to reach heavens in his mortal body, and also when he is tempted into a worldly life by the celestial dancer, Menaka. With every fall, he returns with a greater determination and continues on his single minded pursuit of spiritual greatness. He is offered various designations in the divine hierarchy but he surrenders each of them to God and continues his intense Tapas. Finally Maharshi Vasistha recognises his spiritual heights and confers on him the title, ‘Brahmarishi’, but by then, the once vengeful king Kaushika would’ve undergone a profound transformation into a compassionate and luminous ‘Vishwamitra’.(from www.vishwaamara.com)

~