A. Royden D'souza

Agastya begins not as a “character” but as a ṛṣi in the Veda, a poet-seer of Ṛgveda Maṇḍala. His origin myth is cosmic: Mitra and Varuṇa, gods of vow, law, oaths, behold the celestial Apsarā Urvaśī. A moment of desire flickers. Their semen spills.

Among Ikṣvāku’s many sons was Kukshi, who later came to be known by another name — Kukshi. Though remembered in later texts primarily as a link in the royal line, his story, preserved in fragments, is one of exile, redemption, and divine approval.

As a prince, Viśvāmitra was trained in all the royal sciences — archery, the Vedas, governance, statecraft, and the arts of war. He became a protector of his people, a conqueror of lands, and a patron of the learned.

Sage Vasishtha is one of the most respected and ancient sages in Indian tradition. He is counted among the Saptarṣis — the seven seers who preserve divine knowledge through the ages.

From birth, Saudāsa was strong, noble, and fair-minded. Yet destiny had already written upon him a mark — a dark spot on his leg, resembling a burn or stain. Because of this, the people began calling him Kalmāṣapāda, “the one with the spotted foot.”