Rama and Lakshmana get a chance to listen to a description of Vishwamitra’s life in the sage’s presence through Sadananda, when they reach Mithila. Vishwamitra is a great Kshatriya king who attained spiritual powers by performing severe penance. So he is held in great awe by all as the most powerful among rishis.
After a brush with Vasishta, he realises that all the Kshatriya might is of no avail against the power a Brahma Rishi wields. His goal then is directed towards attaining the status of a Brahma Rishi through severe penance. But, whatever austerities one practises, it is mastery over one’s self when the senses are subjugated and there is total renunciation of Kama and Krodha that finally make one eligible to reap the fruits of penance, pointed out Sri B. Damodhara Dikshitar in a discourse.
Vishwamitra easily loses all his hard earned penance on several occasions on various counts. When the sage undertakes an impossible vow, that he would send Trisanku in his chandala body to swarga loka, he expends all his power of penance to this end. Again he risks it in his effort to protect one Sunaschepa.
More austere penance follows, and Indra, fearing the consequences, sends Menaka first and then Ramba to foil this. In the first case the sage yields to desire and in the second case, he succumbs to anger. Anger is more harmful than desire, say the wise. Unfazed by defeat, he resumes more arduous penance and gains self mastery. Finally he clears the test posed by Indra. Brahma and Indra pronounce him to be a Brahma Rishi. But he is satisfied only when the great Vasishta, who had inspired him towards this goal, acknowledges him as a Brahma Rishi.
