Garga

Antecedents: Antecedents: Vishnu – Brahma- Atri – Chandra – Budha – Pururavas – Ayus – Nahusha – Yayati – Puru – Janamejaya – Prachinvan – Praveera – Namasyu – Veetabhaya – Shundu – Bahuvidha – Samyati – Rahovadi – Bhadrashwa – Matinara – Santurodha – Dushyanta – Bharata – Suhotra – Suhota – Gala – Garda – Suketra – Brihatkshetra – Garga.

Brihaspati once lusted after his wife’s sister Mamata, while she was pregnant. The unborn child blocked him, but the sage cursed him and took her. Thus two children were born to Mamata, but she left, taking her original child. The other child was cared for by the devas and was Bharadwaja. They later gave him to Bharata, who was ruling the entire country. He had ahd many sons from his many wives, but the children had all been killed by their mothers because they were evil. Bharadwaja was also known as Vitadha then. To him was born Manyu, to Manyu Brihalkshetra – Jaya – Garga. Rantideva was the grandson of Nara, Garga’s brother. To Garga was born a son named Shani, after which he began meditation, as per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda, Chapters 20, 21.

Garga became a revered guru and he was instrumental in sending Krishna and Balarama to Sandipa as per Bhagavata Navamaskanda.

He once visited the court of Maandaata’s son Muchukunda. He was pleased by the welcome given and said that Muchukunda would one day be fortunate enough to see Krishna. See Muchukunda for details.

After Rama returned to Ayodhya, many sages came to visit him. As per Uttararamayana, Garga, Kanva, Raibhya, Kaushika, Yavakrita along with their disciples came from the east.

On the banks of the Saraswati was a holy place named Gargasrota. Garga had meditated here for a long while and discovered the science of astrology as per Mahabharata Shalyaparva Chapter 37. He was also the chief astrologer in Pridhu’s court as per Mahabharata Shantiparva Chapter 59 verse 111.

During the Kurukshetra war, he requested Drona to stop the war as per Mahabharata Dronaparva Chapter 19.

He once advised the king Vishwavasu on permanence as per Mahabharata Shantiparva Chapter 318 verse 49.

He also had a discussion with Yudhishtira as per Mahabharata Anushasanaparva Chapter 18.