Vaśishṭha

Also known as: Saint Vaśishṭha · Family: Ayodhyá · Role: minister and priest · First appears: Book I, Canto 7 · The Ministers

In Book I, Canto 10, Daśaratha consulted Vaśishṭha about Sumantra’s plan, and Vaśishṭha consented. He later led the holy men in approving the king’s horse sacrifice and began its rites; in Canto 19, he named Ráma, Bharat, Lakshmaṇ and Śatrughna. He was married to Arundhatí, and in Canto 52 welcomed Viśvámitra to a banquet.

Their friendship turned to conflict in Book I, Cantos 53–56, when Vaśishṭha refused to sell his cow, and Viśvámitra took her by force. Vaśishṭha’s forces defeated Viśvámitra’s army; after Viśvámitra burned the hermitage, Vaśishṭha’s Bráhman wand overcame his weapons. In Canto 65, Vaśishṭha acknowledged Viśvámitra’s title to Bráhmanhood, hailing him as “new-made friend.”

In Book II, Vaśishṭha ordained the fast for Ráma and Sítá before the proposed succession. When Kaikeyí sent Ráma into exile, he declared that Sítá would remain and guard Ráma’s throne. He later sent envoys to bring Bharat home, then urged Bharat to gather Daśaratha’s bones after the funeral.