Who Is Vasishtha In Hindu Mythology?
Gautama, Bharadvaja, Kashyapa, Bhrgu, Atri, and Vishvamitra are the other Seven Sages whose names mark exogamous clan "lineages" (gotra; in exogamous groups, members must marry outside the group).
All brahmins are said to be descended from these seven
sages, with each family's progenitor's name serving as its gotra name.
These gotra divides are still essential in current times, since marriage inside the gotra is prohibited.
The new bride takes her husband's gotra as part of her new
identity after her marriage.
Vasishtha is a powerful sage who serves as the guru to the
kings of the Solar dynasty, including King Dasharatha and his son, Rama, in the
Ramayana, the earlier of the two great Hindu epics.
Vasishtha is particularly well-known for his long-running quarrel with the sage Vishvamitra, which has resulted in several clashes.
The feud's origins may be traced back to the disparity in
rank between kshatriyas and brahmins.