According to Hindu mythology, Viswamitra is one of the 'Saptarshis', the seven revered sages. By birth he was a '
kshatriya' (warrior caste) and through tough penance he transcended into a
Brahmin priest. He created his own version of 'Swarga (heaven)', named 'Trisanku Swarga'. The most significant feature in the legend of Viswamitra is the struggle with the sage Vasishta. Both Viswamitra and Vasishta were 'Brahmarshis' and possessed a prominent position in the
Rig Veda. The epics
Ramayana and
Mahabharata tell the story of Viswamitra's amour with
apsaras Menaka and Rambha. The Ramayana depicts many particulars of Viswamitra's connection with
Ram. It was Viswamitra who asked
Dasaratha to send his son, for the protection of the Brahmins against the attack of demons. It later ended in the marriage of Ram and
Sita.
