Visvamitra In The Kalpasutra

Here is a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text "Visvamitra in the Kalpasutra" by Umeshchandra Sharma:

This paper by Dr. Umesh Chandra Sharma examines the significance of the sage Viśvāmitra within the Kalpa Sūtra literature, particularly focusing on his role in sacrifices and the intricate gotra and pravara system associated with his lineage.

The author highlights that while Sūtras generally provide important data about the gotra and pravara system of various lineages, the Śankhāyana Śrauta Sūtra (SSS) stands out by dedicating a significant portion to the legend of Śunaśśepa's sacrifice. Viśvāmitra played a crucial role in this narrative, acting as the Hoty priest. The text notes that the SSS's account of this sacrifice closely parallels that of the Aitareya Brāhmaṇa (AB), with only minor verbal differences. In the sacrifice, Śunaśśepa was intended as a victim, but Viśvāmitra's intervention helped prevent his full sacrifice. Viśvāmitra subsequently adopted Śunaśśepa as his son, renaming him Devarāta, and elevating him to a high position within his family, leading to him becoming known as a famous Kuśika.

The core of the paper details the various gotras and pravaras within the Viśvāmitra family as outlined in the Sūtras. These lineages are characterized by their ancestral rșis (sages), with the term "pravara" referring to a lineage of three primary rșis. The paper lists and describes numerous such divisions:

• Kuśikas: Three rși-pravaras: Vaiśvāmitra, Daivarāta, and Audala.
• Sraumata-Kāmayanas: Three rși-pravaras: Vaiśvāmitra, Devaśravas, and Devataras.
• Kāṭas: Three rși-pravaras: Vaiśvāmitra, Kāṭya, and Āṭkila.
• Dhananjayas: Three rși-pravaras: Vaiśvāmitra, Madhucchandas, and Dhananjaya.
• Aghamārṣaṇa-Kuśikas: Three rși-pravaras: Vaiśvāmitra, Aghamarṣaṇa, and Kauśika.
• Purāṇa-Vāridhapāyāntas: Two rși-pravaras: Vaiśvāmitra and Paurāṇa.
• Ajas: Three rși-pravaras: Vaiśvāmitra, Madhucchandas, and Ājya.
• Aṣṭaka-Lohitas: Three rși-pravaras: Vaiśvāmitra, Aṣṭaka, and Lauhita.
• Raukṣaka-Raipavas: Three rși-pravaras: Vaiśvāmitra, Raukṣaka, and Raiṇava.
• Indra-Kauśikas: Three rși-pravaras: Vaiśvāmitra, Āindra, and Kauśika.
• Rauhinas: Three rși-pravaras: Vaiśvāmitra, Madhucchandas, and Rauhina.
• Śailāṅkayanas: Three rși-pravaras: Vaiśvāmitra, Śailāṅkayana, and Kauśika.
• Hiraṇyaretases: Three rși-pravaras: Vaiśvāmitra, Hiraṇya, and Retas.
• Suvarṇaretases: Three rși-pravaras: Vaiśvāmitra, Sauvārṇa, and Retas.
• Kapōretases: Three rși-pravaras: Vaiśvāmitra, Kāpota, and Retas.
• Ghrta-Kauśikas: Three rși-pravaras: Vaiśvāmitra, Ghrta, and Kauśika.
• Śathara-Mātharas: Three rși-pravaras: Vaiśvāmitra, Śaṭhara, and Māṭhara.
• Śāhula-Māhulas: Three rși-pravaras: Vaiśvāmitra, Śāhula, and Māhula.

Beyond the pravara system, the paper also notes other contexts where Viśvāmitra is mentioned in Sūtra literature:

• In the Agniveśya Grhya Sūtra (AgGS), Viśvāmitra is listed among the Saptarșis (seven great sages), alongside Jamadagni, Bharadvāja, Gautama, Atri, Vasiṣṭha, and Kaśyapa, in the context of the Adhyāya-Utsarjanam rite.
• The Baudhāyana Śrauta Sūtra (BauSS) specifies the lineage of priests for certain sacrifices, stating that the Hoty priest should be a Vaiśvāmitra, while others should be from Angiras, Vaiśiṣṭha, and Āyāsya lineages.
• Viśvāmitra is also connected with the seventeenth stoma in the context of the Rși-stoma.
• The Sūtra texts prescribe a rite known as "Sañjaya" of Viśvāmitra for those seeking victory over enemies. The Tandya Mahā Brāhmaṇa (TMB) attests to Viśvāmitra performing this rite to gain a kingdom.
• The Vaikhanasa Grhya Sūtra (VaiGS) and Vaikhanasa Dharma Sūtra (VaiDS) mention that a Tarpana (an offering of water) should be made to Viśvāmitra after a daily bath.
• The Mīmāṁsā Darśana (MiDa) states that because a Vaiśvāmitra descendant must be a Hoty priest, descendants of Bhrgu, Tūṇaka, and Vaiśiṣṭha are not eligible for this role.

In conclusion, Dr. Sharma asserts that the Viśvāmitra family was one of the most significant in ancient India, characterized by numerous gotras and pravaras. The Kalpa Sūtras consistently mandate that a descendant of Viśvāmitra should serve as the Hotr priest in sacrifices. The paper notes that some of these gotras and pravaras are still followed by Brāhmaṇa families in present-day India, citing the surname "Kauśika" used by some North Indian Brāhmaṇas as an example.