Garga (sage)

This article will address Garga (sage) from a broad and detailed approach, with the aim of providing the reader with a complete and in-depth vision of this topic. Its origins, evolution and relevance today will be explored, as well as its implications in different areas. Different perspectives, expert opinions and relevant data will be analyzed that will allow the reader to comprehensively understand Garga (sage). In addition, case studies and concrete examples will be presented that will illustrate the importance and impact of Garga (sage) in today's society. Through this article, we seek to offer an informed and enriching perspective on Garga (sage), which invites reflection and debate.

This article is about the author of a Rigveda hymn. For the astrologer and astronomer, see Vrddha Garga.

Garga (Sanskrit: गर्ग, romanized: Garga) was an ancient Indian sage who composed a Rigveda hymn. He is also known as Garga Bhāradvāja ("Garga, the descendant of Bharadvaja") to distinguish him from other people of same name.

Ancestry

Katyayana's Sarvanukramani attributes the Rig Veda hymn 6.47 to Garga.[1] This text describes Garga as a son of Bharadvaja Barhaspatya. Katyayana was himself a descendant of Bharadvaja, but appears to have abridged the genealogy between Bharadvaja and Garga.[2]

The epic-Puranic literature suggests that Garga was a distant descendant of Bharadvaja. According to this tradition, Garga was a son of Bhumanyu and a great-grandson of Vidathin Bharadvaja (who was adopted by Bharata Daushyanti). Garga's brothers included Brhatkshatra, Mahavirya, and Nara.[2]

Descendants

According to the epic-Puranic literature, Garga had a son named Shini (IAST: Śini), who was also a sage. Shini's descendants were called Shainyas.[2]

Several later ancient Indian scholars and legendary figures bore the name Garga or other names suggesting their descent from Garga (for example, Gārgya, Gārgi, and Gārgāyanas). This suggests that the descendants of Garga contributed to a number of fields including interpretation of the Vedas, etymology, grammar, astrology, dharmashastra, philosophy, and religion.[3] These people include:

The Atharvaveda Parisistha 8.15.2 describes the Gargas as Brahmins of Kshatriya ancestry.[3]

References

  1. ^ Thaneswar Sarmah 1991, p. 123.
  2. ^ a b c Thaneswar Sarmah 1991, pp. 125–126.
  3. ^ a b c Thaneswar Sarmah 1991, p. 124.
  4. ^ a b c d e Thaneswar Sarmah 1991, p. 125.
  5. ^ a b Thaneswar Sarmah 1991, p. 128.
  6. ^ Thaneswar Sarmah 1991, pp. 128–129.
  7. ^ Thaneswar Sarmah 1991, p. 129.
  8. ^ a b Thaneswar Sarmah 1991, p. 127.
  9. ^ Roshen Dalal (2010). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. Penguin Books. p. 220. ISBN 978-0-14-341421-6.

Bibliography